Mobile Phone NewsMobile Phone Newsuuid:791d0beb-c2de-44d9-b2fe-9d2449678d64;id=492017-12-14T00:35:46Zhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/vodafone-gets-festive-20gb-for-35-dollars-on-sim-only-plansVodafone gets festive: 20GB for $35 on SIM-only plansVodafone is dangling a seriously crunchy data carrot for BYO phone customers: 20GB for just $35 per month. 2017-12-13T16:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyLast week, we announced a big-data Christmas deal for customers picking up a new phone and plan with Vodafone. But if you're already all-set for a smartphone - and don't want to spend $80 and up on your monthly plan - Vodafone's latest SIM-only offer has your New Year data needs covered. From now through to January 4, you can sign on for Vodafone's $40 Red SIM Only plan on a 12-month contract, and get a hefty 20GB of monthly data. Your data allowance includes a standard 6GB, plus a bonus 14GB of 4G data each and every month - at no extra cost. Even better? New and upgrading customers can also enjoy a $5 per month discount on the same $40 deal - so that's 20GB of fast data, plus unlimited standard national talk and text, for $35 per month. Your extra data and $5 price cut applies for the length of your contract, so that's a total saving of $60 over 12 months.&nbsp; The $40 SIM Only Plan also includes standard international call minutes each month: 150 minutes to more than 50 selected...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/amaysim-christmas-deal-50-dollar-gift-card-with-new-mobile-and-nbn-plansAmaysim Christmas deal: get a $50 gift card with new mobile and NBN plansSign up to a new amaysim mobile or NBN plan this December, and enjoy a $50 gift card (plus extras!).2017-12-11T13:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyTo celebrate the holiday season, amaysim is giving new December sign-ups a limited-time stocking-stuffer. Sign up to a new amaysim mobile plan between now and December 31 - or a new NBN plan by December 20 - and you'll get a bonus $50 gift card, to be used at amaysim's online store. Your $50 card can offset the cost of any new available phone or tablet, including Samsung's Galaxy S8 and Note8, Apple's iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, Huawei's Mate 10 Pro, and the Sony Xperia XZ Premium. To qualify as a mobile user, you'll need to purchase and activate any amaysim mobile plan before the December 31 cut-off. If you're signing up for NBN service, you'll need to place your order before midnight on December 20, plus pay for your plan with an approved payment method when prompted. NBN customers can also qualify for bonus mobile recharges, if they sign on for amaysim's Unlimited 5GB mobile plan. Order your new NBN plan and the aforementioned $30, 5GB 28-day prepaid or postpaid plan, and you'll get two...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/christmas-deal-roundup-the-best-mobile-plan-offersChristmas deal roundup: The best mobile plan offersAll of the best telco Christmas deals in one place.2017-12-11T11:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosChristmas might be a timing of giving, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't treat yourself too. If you need a new phone or phone plan, there's plenty of silly season specials going on in the telco world, and more keep popping up every day. To help, we've rounded up all of the best mobile Christmas offers in one place. We'll be sure to keep this story up to date, because there's almost certainly more deals on the horizon. If you're after a SIM-only phone plan, Virgin has slashed 20% off all 12-month contracts. Our pick is the $32 per month plan (discounted from $40), which gets you 15GB of data, unlimited talk and text, and $200 of credit for international talk and text. If you use the promocode "WHISTLEOUT", you can get an extra 500MB on any plan. Read more about this deal here. If you want a new phone, Virgin is knocking $20 per month off its $80 plan with select devices. Eligible handsets include the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S8, and Galaxy S8+. The plan comes 16GB of...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/belkin-pocket-power-thinner-lighterStocking Stuffers: Belkin's latest portable batteries start at $39.95Belkin's latest power banks are thinner, lighter, and a perfect stocking stuffer. 2017-12-08T16:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosGot friends or family who never remember to charge their phone? Belkin's new range of Pocket Power portable batteries could be the perfect gift. Pocket Power is Belkin's new on-the-go charging solution, and as the name might suggest, the batteries are slimmer and lighter than the predecessors, the MixIt series. You can pick from a 5,000mAh option or a 10,000mAh option if you want to grab one before Christmas, and a 15,000mAh option will be available at the start of next year. 5,000mAh will set you back $39.95, and is enough to recharge an iPhone 8 from flat around one and a half times. 10,000mAh is a little pricier at $59.95, but will give an iPhone 8 as many as three extra charges. Belkin has yet to confirm pricing for the 15,000mAh model. All Pocket Power models come with a micro USB cable to recharge the battery itself, but there's no additional cables to connect to your device. Belkin's Pocket Power battery packs are ranged through JB Hi Fi, Harvey Norman, Myer, Big W, and...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/vodafone-offering-triple-data-on-selected-plansJoy to the world: Vodafone offering TRIPLE data on selected plansSwitch or upgrade on selected Vodafone Red Plans and score three times the included data at no extra cost. 2017-12-08T16:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyIf double data isn't quite enough for your festive season needs, Vodafone is going all-out on its high-end Red Data and Red Global phone plans. For a limited time, switch to a selected Vodafone plan with a new device and you'll get triple the usual included data each month, for the exact same price. Pick up a new smartphone on Vodafone's $80 Red Data, $80 Red Global, or $100 Red postpaid plans, and you'll score triple data every month for 24 months. Along with unlimited standard Australian talk and text, you'll get the following monthly data inclusions: $80 Red Data Plan: 96GB (was 32GB) $80 Red Global Plan: 90GB (was 30GB) $100 Red Plan: 150GB (was 50GB) Your monthly triple gigabytes will apply for your first two years on your selected plan, provided you don't switch service options. And as your handset repayments are now separated from your Vodafone mobile service, it doesn't matter if you pick a 12-month, 24-month, or 36-month phone repayment option - you'll still get triple data...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/myrepublic-to-launch-a-mvno-next-yearMyRepublic to launch a MVNO next yearMyRepublic is set to join the long list of mobile providers operating in Australia. 2017-12-08T15:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosUpstart internet service provider MyRepublic is set to get in the MVNO game next year and start offering mobile plan options to customers. Details are scarce at the moment, but the telco today confirmed that it will start offering mobile services in Singapore in the first quarter of 2018, with Australia following after. While there's no concrete information on how MyRepublic will structure its mobile plans, we wouldn't be surprised if they aligned with how the telco sells broadband. At present, MyRepublic has two "personal" NBN options: $69.99 for unlimited data and speeds of up to 100Mbps on a 12-month contract, or $74.99 if you don't want to commit to a year. (There's also two other plans "for gamers".) We expect similar simplicity to be echoed in MyRepublic's mobile plans, and wouldn't be surprised if it offered just one or two plans, much like Belong's new offering. We'd be surprised if MyRepublic decided to sell devices, as most MVNOs tend to be SIM-only (with just a few...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/virgin-mobile-offers-20-dollars-off-80-dollar-plan-with-selected-phonesSilly season special: Virgin Mobile offers $20 off its $80 plan with selected phonesPick up a selected Apple, Samsung or Sony phone on Virgin Mobile's $80 plan, get a $20 monthly discount. Pawsome! 2017-12-08T12:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyVirgin Mobile's pre-Christmas cheer continues, with the telco now running a limited-time offer on its popular&nbsp;$80 phone plan. Sign on for the above plan on a 24-month contract, and you'll score a $20 per month access fee discount when you add a selected Samsung, Apple or Sony phone. Qualifying phones (and their monthly handset repayment costs) are below: iPhone 7 (256GB): $19 per month over 24 months iPhone 7 Plus (128GB): $19 per month over 24 months iPhone 6s (32GB): $0 per month over 24 months Samsung Galaxy S8: $0 per month over 24 months Samsung Galaxy S8+: $5 per month over 24 months Samsung Galaxy S8 & Gear S3 Bundle: $15 per month over 24 months Samsung Galaxy S8+ & Gear S3 Bundle: $20 per month over 24 months Samsung Galaxy S7: $0 per month over 24 months Samsung Galaxy S7 & Gear Fit2 Pro Bundle: $8 per month over 24 months Sony Xperia XZ Premium: $0 per month over 24 months The above phone and bundle prices are in addition to your monthly $60 plan cost. So, for example,...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/virgin-mobile-crazy-christmas-deal-sim-onlyVirgin has a very good Christmas deal: 15GB for $32 a monthGood tidings we bring, to you and your SIM. 2017-12-08T12:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosWe're just over a week into December, and the Christmas mobile deals show no sign of stopping. Virgin Mobile is the latest to join in on the festive madness, and is doing 20% off all 12-month SIM plans. Our favourite offer is the $32 per month plan (discounted from $40), which gets you 15GB of data, unlimited talk and text, and $200 of credit for international talk and text. If you use the promo code "WHISTLEOUT" when signing up for the plan, you'll score yourself an extra 500MB per month. You're welcome. Thanks to the discount, the plan is currently the cheapest way to get a 15GB data allowance. Optus and Vodafone will both charge you $40 per month for the same amount of data. If you want more data, $48 per month (down from $60) will get you 22GB, unlimited talk and text, and $400 of credit for international talk and text. While this is still a great deal, Optus edges it out with its newly launched $50 per month 30GB plan. Virgin's complete list of discounted plans is as follows...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/Broadband/News/foxtel-now-on-apple-tvApple TV gets Foxtel Now support with AirPlayFoxtel Now is now on Apple TV. Kind of. 2017-12-08T11:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosFoxtel Now subscribers are now able to watch all their favourite shows, movies, and sports on Apple TV. Kind of. Rather than launch a dedicated Foxtel Now app on Apple TV, Foxtel has integrated AirPlay streaming into its iPhone and iPad offerings. AirPlay is a protocol that allows you to beam content you're watching on an iPhone or iPad to an Apple TV set-top box. While the end result is that Foxtel Now ends up on your TV, it does mean you have to use a companion device to pick what you want to stream, and that Android device owners who happen to own an Apple TV are left out for now. While there's no dedicated Foxtel Now app for Apple TV, a Foxtel spokesperson told us that the company is looking at "ways to broaden Foxtel Now's reach". If you want a set-top box with a dedicated Foxtel Now app, your only choices are the Foxtel Now Box and the Telstra TV 2 for the time being. In terms of game consoles, Foxtel Now is available on PlayStation 4. Foxtel's also taken the opportunity to...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/the-cost-of-international-roamingThe cost of international roaming: Using your phone overseasInternational roaming is still one of the leading causes of bill shock, so it’s important to do your research before using your Australian mobile overseas.2017-12-07T17:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosPlanning an overseas trip can be complex. There’s flights to book, rooms to find, itineraries to plan,&nbsp;and bags to pack. The fact&nbsp;you’re reading this page suggests you’ve already thought about another really important element:&nbsp;how to use your phone or tablet when you're in visiting&nbsp;another country. This should be easy, but unfortunately it often isn’t. And it can be pretty expensive too.&nbsp; There’s a couple of factors you'll need to consider before you starting roaming. Cost is one a major one, but you'll also need to know the following:&nbsp; Australian phone networks work on&nbsp;GSM technology. This is the standard in most countries around&nbsp;the world, so your phone should work in significant parts of Europe and Asia, in the US, UK, and New Zealand. Other countries may have a mix of technologies, so you might have to do a bit of research to make sure there's a provider who'll support your device.&nbsp; Also, make sure your phone isn't network locked by...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/telstra-doubles-international-roaming-dataTelstra doubles daily roaming data for postpaid customersIf you're roaming with Telstra, you'll now get more data to use each day.2017-12-07T17:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosTelstra today announced changes to its postpaid international roaming that will see subscribers get twice as much daily data when overseas. Customers roaming using Telstra's International Day Pass will now get 200MB per day, up from 100MB. This will still cost $10 per day in most countries, and $5 per day in New Zealand. If you go over&nbsp; your daily 200MB, Telstra will automatically add another 500MB for $10 with a 31-day expiry. You won't eat into this allowance until you've exceeded your daily 200MB. Your International Day Pass also gets you unlimited talk and text while overseas. In addition, Telstra has expanded roaming coverage to an additional 17 countries, taking its total to 75. New countries include Austria, Guatemala, Vietnam, Cambodia, Russia, and Laos. Telstra's complete list of roaming destinations is as follows: Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic,...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/p3-benchmark-test-names-optus-australias-best-networkP3 Benchmark test names Optus Australia's best networkOptus has won the P3 Connect Mobile Benchmark test, beating out Telstra and Vodafone for the honour. 2017-12-05T15:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyWondering which Aussie mobile network is really the best in the nation? Independent network tester P3 Communications has released the results of its 2017 Mobile Benchmark report - and the winner may surprise you. Coming in at first place in both overall network quality and in voice - and upsetting previous winner Telstra - is Optus, scoring a rating of 887 out of 1000. In addition to nabbing the all-round number-one spot, Optus also tested high for data performance in small towns, although ultimately lost out to overall data quality to number-two Telstra. With an overall score of 884, Telstra's second-place ranking is only three points behind Optus. However, both Telstra and Optus have a clear lead over third-place network Vodafone, which achieved a total score of 817 points. P3's testing was undertaken in partnership with telecommunications magazine Connect, and was conducted between October 11 and October 24 in and between nine large cities and nineteen small towns across Australia....Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/psa-dont-buy-a-phone-from-amazon-australia-yetPSA: Don't buy a phone from Amazon Australia (yet)Amazon Australia is here, but it's not a great choice if you want a new phone. 2017-12-05T11:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosNot with a bang, but with a whimper. After months of anticipation, speculation, and doomsaying, Amazon has finally launched in Australia, and well, it's kinda underwhelming. While there's some decent deals to be found if you're after Lego or a Nintendo Switch, Amazon Australia isn't really any cheaper than the competition for the most part. In many cases, it’s actually pricier. I guess Amazon won't be killing Australian retail just yet. One area where this is especially true is smartphones, with many handsets priced higher than their local recommended retail price. Here are a just a few examples we found this morning (note that the Amazon Australia Price excludes shipping). Phone RRP Amazon Australia Price OPPO A57 $329 $346.35 Huawei Mate 10 $899 $956.40 OPPO R11 $649 $668.34 iPhone X (64GB) $1579 $1919.99 iPhone 8 Plus (64GB) $1229 $1389.99 BlackBerry KEYone Black Edition $899 $912.88 While these prices aren't great, not everything is overpriced. The Moto G5S and Moto X4 are...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/australian-huawei-mate-10-pro-plansAustralian Huawei Mate 10 Pro PlansHuawei's Mate 10 Pro is now available. Here's how much it will set you back on a plan.2017-12-04T16:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosHot off the heels of the Mate 10, Huawei's Mate 10 Pro is now available Australia wide. If you're after Huawei's latest on a contract, Optus is your only choice, with plans starting at $75 per month. The full range is as follows: If you pick up your Mate 10 Pro on a 24-month contract, Optus will throw in a bonus Huawei 360 Panoramic VR Camera valued at $179. While most 360-degree cameras are standalone devices that sync with smartphones via Wi-Fi, Huawei's plugs directly into a phone's USB Type-C port. This means it can use the phone's storage, removing the need for an extra memory card. If you'd prefer to go outright, the Mate 10 Pro is also available through Amaysim, Vaya, and Mobileciti for $1,099. Amaysim will throw in three free renewals of any of its plan as a bonus, which is worth up to $150 if you take the new 20GB plan. You can nab the Mate 10 Pro in either blue or "mocha brown" outright, but Optus is only ranging it in blue. The Mate 10 Pro continues Huawei's partnership...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/telstra-data-deal-10gb-for-39-dollarsTelstra data deal: get 10GB for $39Telstra kicks off 'Switchmas' with a 10GB online-only data deal. 2017-12-04T15:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyThe pre-Christmas data deals just keep on coming! If you're looking to make a mobile switch this holiday season, Telstra is now offering a hefty 10GB for under $40 per month. For a limited time, the telco's $49 Mx plan has been reduced to $39 per month on a 12-month contract. You'll get 10GB of monthly data, plus unlimited national talk and text, and unlimited Wifi data at Telstra Air hotspots.&nbsp; To qualify, you'll need to buy the $39 plan online via Telstra's own web portal, sign up for electronic billing, and then set up automatic payments. You'll also need to activate Telstra's My Account online service tool, plus download the Telstra 24x7 App to your phone, within 30 days. You'll also need to be a new Telstra customer, so no switching from your current Telstra plan to the $39 deal. Sound complicated? Telstra's Mx plans are online-only options, which means you'll only be able to change or manage your plan through the company's online support tools. However, users have access to...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/optus-adds-aud60-sim-only-plan-with-50gb-per-monthE S C A L A T I O N: Optus adds $60 SIM-only plan with 50GB per monthOptus' big new plans push SIM-only data inclusions higher than we've seen before. 2017-12-04T13:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosOptus has fired yet another salvo in the on-going data wars, with the addition of a 50GB SIM-only plan billed at $60 per month. The massive new plan headlines a SIM-only plan refresh, which also includes competitive 15GB and 30GB plans, priced at $40 and $50 per month, respectively. The complete range is as follows. The plans are all sold on 12-month contracts, and also include unlimited talk and text, and an Optus Sport subscription. If you're spending over $40 per month, you'll also get a minimum of 300 international minutes. While Optus' 15GB $40 plan is now essentially the industry standard when it comes to SIM-only offerings, its top two options have pushed SIM-only data caps the highest we've seen. (At least when it comes to 4G connection, there are a couple of smaller providers offering SIM-only plans with higher data inclusions, but these are limited to the Optus 3G network). Optus' 30GB $50 plan beats out every plan currently on the market, providing more bang-for-buck than...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/googles-new-android-app-will-help-save-your-dataGoogle's new Android app will help save your dataGoogle has unveiled Datally: a new app for Android designed to cut down on excess mobile phone data use. 2017-12-04T11:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyIf you're struggling to stick to your monthly mobile data allowance - or wondering just where those gigabytes disappear to every month - Google may have a solution. The company has released a brand new data-curbing feature that's perfect for Android users looking to manage their megabytes.&nbsp;&nbsp; Datally (see what they did there?) is a new Android-only app that monitors your phone's data use, and offers customised reports on how to save precious megabytes each month. Once you've installed Datally, you can view and track your data usage both in real-time, and on an hourly, daily, weekly or monthly basis. You'll be able to figure out which apps are sucking up the most gigabytes, and block or limit data use on specific apps or background programs. Datally records your data metrics over time, and makes it easier to conserve your plan's data allowance by prompting users to switch to WiFi when available. The app also searches out public WiFi networks for you to connect to, with a 'rate...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/Broadband/News/half-of-nbn-subscribers-dont-know-what-theyre-paying-forHalf of NBN subscribers don't know what they're paying for 40% of NBN subscribers don't know what speed they're paying for, and 15% have no idea how much data they have. 2017-12-04T10:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosWe all know the NBN can be confusing, but it turns out many Australians don't even know what exactly it is they're paying for.&nbsp; In a survey we commissioned, 40% of respondents told us they don't know what internet speed plan they're subscribed to. Based on NBN's latest figures, that's equivalent to 1.4 million Australians. In addition, 15% of respondents said they're uncertain of how much data their plan includes. 5% of respondents didn't know their speed or their data allowance.&nbsp; Given that an NBN plan is made up of two things - a data allowance and a speed -, this research suggests half of Australians don't know actually know what exactly it is they pay for on a monthly basis. The majority of this group said they switched because they didn't want their existing internet service being cut-off, and 86% kept their existing provider when moving to the NBN. While there's nothing wrong with staying with a provider you're happy with, respondents who didn't know what NBN speed...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/Broadband/News/amazon-echo-australian-pricing-availabilityAmazon Echo and Alexa coming to Australia in early 2018Amazon is bringing Alexa and its Echo smart speakers to Australia in 20182017-11-30T14:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosAmazon today announced that Australians will be able to get their hands on its Echo smart speakers from "early next year", with its Alexa smart assistant in tow. Amazon has yet to confirm local pricing for the Echo, but it retails for just under USD$100 internationally, with the smaller Echo Dot coming in at USD$50. These convert to approximately $130 and $65, based on current exchange rates. Amazon also confirmed that it will bring its Spotify competitor - Amazon Music Unlimited - to Australia. It also remains to be see which Echo devices Amazon will bring to Australia; internationally, Amazon ranges five. These include the Echo&nbsp;Dot, the standard&nbsp;Echo, the Echo Plus, the Echo&nbsp;Spot, and the Echo&nbsp;Show. The first three of these are speakers, while the Spot and Show also have screens.&nbsp;&nbsp; Much like Google Home, the Amazon Echo is a voice-activated speaker. In addition to playing music, the Echo is able to ask questions, and respond to commands that you issue...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/amaysim-brings-big-data-to-top-end-plans20GB for $50 per month: Amaysim brings big data to top end plansNew mobile plans from Amaysim offer as much as 20GB for $50 a month. 2017-11-30T10:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosAmaysim has increased data allowances on its high-end mobile plans just in time for Christmas, offering as much as 20GB on a single recharge. A $40 recharge will now get you unlimited talk, text, 300 international minutes, and 15GB. A $50 recharge takes the data inclusion to 20GB. Both are sold as 28-day recharges, so you'll need to renew 13 times per year. 15GB is quickly becoming the standard inclusion for the $40 price point, with Virgin, Optus, and Vodafone all offering almost identical plans (excluding promotional deals). Amaysim's offer is available as a month-to-month plan, which the aforementioned telcos all want you to commit to a 12-month contract. At the $50 price point, Amaysim's 20GB inclusion is one of the best around. It is however slightly undercut by Think Mobile's 20GB plan, which is available for $48 per month. Think's plan is offered on a postpaid month-to-month basis, and is delivered over the Vodafone network.&nbsp; Amaysim's data-only plans have also been...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/moose-mobile-cheapest-mobile-plan-in-australiaMoose Mobile now sells Australia's cheapest mobile plan at just $8 per monthMoose Mobile has a new mobile plan you can get for just $8 per month. 2017-11-29T10:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosMoose Mobile - a relative newcomer in Australia's telco scene - is now offering the country's cheapest mobile plan: an $8 per month plan with no lock-in contracts. Much like the price, the plan's inclusions are on the smaller side, with your $8 getting you unlimited text, 200 minutes of calls, and 500MB of data. While Moose Mobile may currently be undercutting the competition in terms of price, it's not the only player fighting out for the low-end. Amaysim now does unlimited talk and text and 1GB of data for $10, but it's offered on a 28-day recharge, which means you'll need to renew 13 times per year. In terms of data-for-dollar, the above two options are better value than Moose Mobile's new $8 offer, but if you want to make every dollar count and don't need much data, Moose could be an excellent choice. It's also worth noting that Moose Mobile charges excess data at 1.5c per MB&nbsp;(billed per kilobyte), which equates to $15 per GB. This is one of the higher excess data charges in...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/Broadband/News/nbn-freezes-all-new-hfc-connections-amid-network-upgradeNBN Co freezes all new HFC connections amid network upgrades Australians set to connect to the National Broadband Network via HFC cable can expect delays. 2017-11-27T14:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosNBN Co today announced that it temporarily pausing orders on HFC portion of the network in order to improve network quality and reliability. As such, Australians set to connect to the National Broadband Network over HFC could see delays of between six to nine months on top of current wait times. NBN Co will provide new timing information for customers set to connect via HFC "in the coming weeks". The pause also applies to residents in ready-for-service NBN areas who haven't taken up a connection. Nearly one million Australians are currently able to connect to the NBN via HFC, but only 370,000 have purchased an NBN service to date. The remaining 600,000 or so will have to wait until NBN Co finishes its upgrades in their area before being "ready to connect" again. Customers already on HFC NBN connections will be able to use their internet as is. Residents in NBN HFC areas will be able to stay on their existing pre-NBN connections until NBN Co unfreezes the rollout. As such, any cut-off...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/save-up-to-500-on-the-galaxy-note-8-this-black-fridaySave up to $520 on the Galaxy Note 8 this Black FridayHarvey Norman and JB Hi-Fi are offering some serious savings on the Samsung Galaxy Note 8. 2017-11-24T15:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyWe've already covered Apple's Black Friday offers, but if you're strictly Team Samsung, this is the deal you've been waiting for. Order the excellent Galaxy Note 8 from either Harvey Norman or JB Hi-Fi today, and you can save an enormous $521 on the device's recommended retail price. Both superstores have slashed prices on the popular flagship phone, presumably as part of the Black Friday-Cyber Monday sales weekend.&nbsp; JB Hi-Fi's Note 8 offer sees the phone's cost reduced to $999 outright, down from the store's previous pricing of $1379. While JB Hi-Fi is limiting the Note 8 deal to one order per customer, buyers can have their phone delivered to their door, or pick up the handset from their nearest store. Not to be outdone, Harvey Norman is dropping prices even further: selling the Note 8 for just $978 in both black and gold, with a limit of two devices per customer. As with JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman customers can have their purchase shipped to their address or pick up in-store;...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/wifi-calling-comes-to-vodafoneWi-Fi Calling comes to VodafoneWi-Fi Calling is finally coming to Vodafone! Here's what we know so far. 2017-11-24T13:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyGreat news if you're a Vodafone subscriber: the telco has announced that Wi-Fi Calling is almost here for eligible customers and devices. Sharing the update via email, Vodafone stated that its new Wi-Fi Calling feature will be available to postpaid customers with compatible smartphones over the coming months. First up? Vodafone users with the Samsung Galaxy S7 or Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. Although listing just two devices so far makes Vodafone's initial Wi-Fi call rollout seem extremely limited, customers with other high-end smartphones should also have access to the feature by the end of the year. Vodafone is working on supporting the following devices before 2018: Wi-Fi Calling is simply the ability to make calls over a connected Wi-Fi network, rather than your telco's mobile network. Instead of connecting to Vodafone's 3G or 4G networks, your phone will make and receive calls over a Wi-Fi broadband network, such as the one you may connect to in your home or office. As most mobile...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/apple-celebrates-black-friday-free-gift-cards-with-iphone-ipad-apple-watchApple Black Friday deal: free Gift Cards with iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch Pick up a selected Apple iPhone, iPad, Watch or Mac this Black Friday, get a bonus Apple Gift Card. 2017-11-24T11:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyIn the US, Black Friday - the day after Thanksgiving that marks the start of the holiday shopping season - sees retailers offering once-a-year deals on most-wanted devices, electronics and appliances. So with the tradition now making inroads in Australia, Apple has jumped on board with a Friday-only gift card offer. Pick up a selected iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple&nbsp;Watch from the company's Aussie web store before midnight, and you'll get a bonus Apple Store Gift Card. Depending on your purchase, gift cards are available up to $210 AUD; a full list of included items is as follows. iPhone SE: From $549. Includes a $35 Apple Gift Card. iPhone 6s: From $699. Includes a $70 Apple&nbsp;Gift Card. iPhone 6s Plus:&nbsp;From $849.&nbsp;Includes a $70 Apple&nbsp;Gift Card. iPhone 7: From $$849.&nbsp;Includes a $70 Apple&nbsp;Gift Card. iPhone 7 Plus: From $1049.&nbsp;Includes a $70 Apple&nbsp;Gift Card. iPad Pro: From $979. Includes a $140 Apple&nbsp;Gift Card.&nbsp; iPad: From $469. Includes...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/Broadband/News/foxtel-box-deal-two-months-of-every-foxtel-now-channel-freeFoxtel Now Box deal: get two months of every Foxtel Now channel, freeOrder a Foxtel Now Box, get two months of every Foxtel Now package FREE - that's over $200 of TV, movies, and sports. 2017-11-21T15:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyLooking for a reason to cut your pay TV susbcription, or just an easier way to binge on your fave TV and live sport this summer? Foxtel's newly-launched Foxtel Now Box is now available - and to celebrate, the company is throwing in two months of free access to every Foxtel Now pack when you buy online.&nbsp; Pick up the $99 Foxtel Now Box, and you'll get free access to Foxtel Now's seven channel packs, with a combined value of $104 per month (or $208 in total). Foxtel Now Box buyers can enjoy two months of on-demand and streaming TV from Foxtel's Pop, Drama, Lifestyle, Docs and Kids packs, plus&nbsp; ad-free movies and live sport. Each Foxtel Now pack includes live streams of selected Foxtel channels, plus complete seasons of popular shows such as The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Mr. Robot, Outlander, Westworld,&nbsp;Scandal, and Big Little Lies. Once your free two months is up, you can pick which packs you'd like to keep subscribing to: packs can be added to, or removed from, your...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/ovo-expands-brick-and-mortar-prepaid-sales-with-australia-postOVO expands brick-and-mortar sales with Australia Post OVO prepaid SIMs are now available in post offices across Australia, marking the telco's second major partnership in just two weeks. 2017-11-20T11:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosSIM cards might be the last product you think of when it comes to Australia Post, but OVO today announced a partnership that will see its prepaid SIMs on sale in select post offices all around Australia. You'll be able to pick up two different OVO starter SIMs in Australia Post outlets: one for the telco's $9.95 Mini recharge, and one for the telco's $34.95 Large recharge. The Mini plan includes 1GB of data, $200 minutes of talk, and unlimited SMS. The Large plan comes with 8GB of data, unlimited talk and text, and 300 international minutes to 32 countries. Both have a 30-day expiry. Today's news follows the announcement of OVO's first brick-and-mortar partnership with 7-Eleven less than two weeks ago. The combined 7-Eleven and Australia Post footprint means OVO SIM cards will be available in close to 1,400 stores. Prior to these partnerships, OVO was an online only business. OVO's complete range of prepaid mobile plans is as follows:Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/woolworths-mobile-offer-half-price-prepaid-starter-packWoolworths Mobile offers half-price Prepaid Starter PacksWhy pay $45 for a SIM starter pack, when you can pay $22.50?2017-11-17T16:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyYesterday, we reported a great SIM-only prepaid deal from Optus: $25 off its $30 SIM Starter Kit. But if you're still on the search for a great new SIM-only offer, Woolworths Mobile is also getting in on the discount game - slashing its $45 SIM Starter Pack by 50%. From now through to November 21, you can pick up a $45 SIM kit for just $22.50 when you buy online. The promo applies solely to its $45 Starter Pack, so you'll need to bring your own unlocked phone to a Woolworths Mobile prepaid plan to qualify.&nbsp; The prepaid SIM pack includes all the features of Woolworths' $45 prepaid recharge, including unlimited standard national calls and text. You'll also get 10GB of data, plus unlimited standard calls to Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, New Zealand, South Africa, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and $100 for other international and non-standard calls.&nbsp; Also great? Data rollover is included on this plan, provided you recharge before your...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/optus-prepaid-deal-30-dollar-sim-stater-kit-now-5-dollarsOptus prepaid deal: get a $30 SIM Starter Kit for $5Optus' $30 prepaid SIM Starter Kit is now just $5. 2017-11-16T13:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyReady to get started on Optus prepaid? Make the jump in the next two days, and you can pick up a $30 SIM Starter Kit for just $5. The $5 offer is available to all SIM-only customers buying a $30 kit between now and November 18. The 3-in-1 SIM pack can be activated on Optus' Ultimate Plus, Daily Plus, or Long Expiry prepaid options, but offers the most value on an Ultimate Plus plan. Activate your SIM on Prepaid Ultimate Plus' $30 option and you'll get unlimited standard Australian talk and text, plus 10GB of data on your first recharge: a regular 3GB, plus 7GB of bonus data. You'll get your bonus 7GB if you recharge by February 2, but customers should be aware that subsequent recharges will revert to the standard 3GB inclusion.&nbsp;&nbsp; However, all Ultimate Plus plans now include data rollover, so any unused gigabytes can be rolled over to your following recharge (provided you top up your plan before the 28-day expiry date). You can roll over up to 10GB of data to the following...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/virgin-mobile-christmas-dealsIt's beginning to look a lot like Christmas over at VirginVirgin Mobile is getting in early with festive bargains on phone plans. 2017-11-09T14:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosIt might only be November, but Christmas is almost here.&nbsp; While that might mean insufferable music in every store (which is pretty much the reason I do my present shopping online), it also means deals. Virgin has wasted no time getting into the festive spirit with a couple of hot offers that will run through to the start of next year. If you're looking to treat yourself to a new phone, you'll get a $100 credit with any device on $40 plans and up. This applies to everything from OPPO's bang-for-buck R11 to the brand new iPhone X, and anything in between. If you're keen, you can check out every phone you can get on a Virgin plan here. If you've already got a phone but are looking for a new plan, Virgin will give you two months of free service if you sign-up for one of its 12-month SIM-only contracts. That's a saving of $120 on the $60 per month plan (duh), which includes an impressive 22GB of data. Virgin's full range of SIM only plans is as follows: Both of these offers run until...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/harry-potter-wizards-unite-is-pokemon-go-for-potterheadsHarry Potter: Wizards Unite is Pokémon GO for PotterheadsAfter all this time, Harry Potter: Wizards Unite is the Pokémon GO successor we've been waiting for. 2017-11-09T13:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyUnless you spent 2016 in a cave, you already know that&nbsp;Pokémon GO&nbsp;was that year's hottest mobile experience for kids and adults alike. But if you're more of a potions master than a Pokémaster, good news: J.K. Rowling's beloved Wizarding World is about to get the augmented reality game treatment.&nbsp; Pokémon GO&nbsp;developer Niantic Labs has confirmed that it will be releasing an all-new, Harry Potter-themed AR mobile game sometime in 2018. Harry Potter: Wizards Unite&nbsp;will be co-developed with Warner Bros. Interactive and WB Games, and although we don't want to count our owls before they're delivered, we're predicting success on par with last year's&nbsp;Pokémania. A 'Harry Potter GO' has been the subject of Internet rumours, prayers and accios for well over a year - we even shared&nbsp;a fan-made trailer&nbsp;back in August of 2016. However, today's confirmation from Niantic means the app is finally official. Even if you're not an avowed Potterhead, it's hard to hate...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/ovo-sim-cards-headed-to-7-11-australia-november-15OVO SIM cards are headed to 7-Eleven from November 15OVO is moving from online-only to instore. 2017-11-09T12:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosOVO is teaming up with 7-Eleven to sell its SIM cards in brick-and-mortar stores around Australia from November 15. The tiny telco started as a digital only business in 2016 and its new distribution deal marks the first time OVO products will be available in brick-and-mortar stores. To date, customers have had to order an OVO SIM online to get connected. "It's pretty exciting to now be able to offer these plans over the counter to people who can be up-and-running within hours of picking up one of our SIM cards at their nearest 7-Eleven store," said OVO CEO Matt Jones. "For our business, teaming up with 7-Eleven is a momentous step, giving us an Australia-wide footprint to build upon what we've achieved to-date as a pure e-commerce brand. It's an exciting moment in OVO's evolution." You'll find OVO SIMs in 7-Eleven stores Australia-wide from November 15. OVO says its SIMs will be available in 617 of Australia's 7-Elevens, which is roughly 92%. Rather than selling a $2 SIM like most...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/foxtel-now-box-pricing-availability-australiaFoxtel Now Box to go on sale Friday for $99The Foxtel Now Box is exactly what it sounds like. 2017-11-08T13:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosFoxtel today unveiled the creatively named Foxtel Now Box, a set-top box specifically designed for Foxtel Now. You know, just in case the name didn't give it away. The $99 puck - which Foxtel has been teasing for almost a year now - will go on sale this Friday, and will be available directly through the Foxtel website. It will also be available through Kogan shortly after, and other retailers are set to range it later this year. The Foxtel Now Box runs a highly customised version of Android TV, designed to mimic Foxtel Now's web interface. While the puck explicitly highlights content from your Foxtel Now package, third party apps for services such as Stan and iView are also available.&nbsp; Netflix is noticeably absent, but Foxtel says it is currently in discussions with the streaming giant. Netflix does however have an existing Android TV app, so it may be possible to sideload it if you're happy jumping through hoops (we'll certainly be trying to). Since the Foxtel Now Box is...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/Is-it-cheaper-to-buy-the-iPhone-outrightIs it cheaper to buy an iPhone outright with a SIM-only plan?There's a lot of debate about whether you should a new phone outright or on a contract. We've taken a look at the pros and cons of both options, and found out just how much you stand to save. 2017-11-07T16:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosWe’re often asked whether it’s cheaper to buy a smartphone on a contract plan, or outright with a BYO phone SIM card &mdash; especially whenever Apple announces a new iPhone. Many assume that buying a phone on a contract gets you the biggest savings, thanks to telco handset subsidies, but a spate of competitive, data-packed SIM only options means the choice is trickier than it’s ever been. To answer this question, we’ve taken a close look at both the new 64GB and 256GB iPhone 8 models and the 64GB iPhone X and compared the price of buying the phone on a 24 month contract to the cost of buying it outright and taking up a comparable non contract plan from the same provider. We then compared the cost of buying an iPhone outright and taking up 24 months of service from a BYO phone option such as Amaysim, Vaya and Aldi Mobile.&nbsp; For the record, the results are pretty similar when comparing prices for the iPhone 8 Plus. Prices in this story are accurate as of November 7, 2017.&nbsp;...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/huawei-porsche-design-mate-10-australian-pricing-availabilityHuawei's $1899 Porsche Design Mate 10 is coming to AustraliaHuawei, to Apple: "Hold my beer"2017-11-06T17:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosThe $1,829 256GB iPhone X might be Australia's most expensive smartphone, but it won't be for long: Huawei's latest collaboration with Porsche Design - the Porsche Design Huawei Mate 10 - will set you back a redonkulous $1,899 when it launches on December 4. Smartphones got expensive this year, hey? While the iPhone X is intended as "mainstream" smartphone, the Porsche Design Mate 10 is a limited run special edition that's essentially a super-premium version of the Mate 10 Pro (which will go on sale on the same day). In terms of aesthetic, the main differences are a "race track stripe" design and "diamond black" glass with a ceramic texture. Hardware is also a touch different, with RAM and storage getting a boost to 6GB and 256GB respectively. Your $1,899 will also get you a couple of goodies inside the box, including a leather case, exclusive accessories, and "VIP member services". Huawei has yet to confirm what these last two will entail locally, but internationally, bundled...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/limited-iphone-x-available-for-same-day-in-store-pickup-at-appleLimited iPhone X models available for same day in-store pickup If you're lucky, you can now get an iPhone X for same day in-store pickup through Apple. 2017-11-06T12:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosIf you missed out on getting an iPhone X on Friday, you're not completely out of luck. While you could pre-order from Apple and wait three to four weeks for delivery, you can also roll the dice with Apple’s in-store pickup. Apple is now offering in-store pickup as an iPhone X purchasing option through its online store. This essentially allows you to check if your desired iPhone X configuration is in stock in the 10 closest stores to your postcode. If the iPhone X is available at any store near you, you can complete the checkout process and reserve the device for same day in-store pickup.&nbsp; Availability does seem to come down to luck: when we checked yesterday, the Sydney George Street store had the 64GB iPhone X in space grey. This morning, the Broadway store had the 256GB iPhone X in silver. Both were gone after a couple of minutes. Essentially, if you want to skip the pre-order queue, you might have to compromise on colour and storage space - and be quick on the trigger. Apple...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/vodafone-tablets-huawei-mediapad-t3-alcatel-plus-12Vodafone adds Huawei MediaPad T3 and Alcatel Plus 12 to tablet range Whether you prefer Android or Windows, Vodafone has new tablets for you. 2017-11-03T15:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosThere's more to the world of tablets than iPads, and Vodafone's expanding its range with two new devices: the Android-powered Huawei MediaPad T3, and the Windows-powered Alcatel Plus 12. Huawei's MediaPad T3 is a fairly traditional Android powered tablet, but also touts the benefit of 4G connectivity. Key specifications include a HD 8-inch display, a quad-core MediaTek MSM8917 processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, and a battery said to offer up to 11 hours of video playback. It runs Nougat.&nbsp; Vodafone has yet to confirm how much the MediaPad T3 will set you back, but given the specifications, we're exepcting it to end up the cheaper side of the spectrum. You'll be able to get it from November 15. Alcatel's Plus 12 is a Windows 10 powered two-in-one that's bundled with a detachable "soft" keyboard. Key specifications include a 12-inch HD display, a Celeron N3350 processor, 32GB of expandable storage, 4GB of RAM, and a 6,900mAh battery. The Plus 12 isn't actually a 4G tablet,...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/save-up-to-300-dollars-in-samsung-saleSave up to $300 with Samsung's 4-day saleSamsung's four-day supersale slashes prices for the some of the company's most in-demand phones. 2017-11-03T14:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyIf you've been holding out on picking up the Samsung Galaxy S8 or S8+ (or a new smartwatch, tablet, or notebook), get ready to save. Samsung has launched an exclusive four-day sale for some of its most loved mobile products, slashing device prices by up to $300. The aforementioned S8 and S8+ are discounted by $200, while tablets are reduced by up to $150, and Galaxy Books between $150 and $300. Some of the devices and discounts you can score are as follows:&nbsp; Galaxy S8: $999 (save $200) Galaxy S8+: $1149 (save $200) Galaxy A5: $499 (save $99.99) Galaxy Tab S3 4G (32GB): $949 (save $150) Galaxy Tab S3 Wi-Fi (32GB): $799 (save $150) Galaxy Tab S2 (8.0", 4G): $639 (save $60) Galaxy Tab S2 (9.7", Wi-Fi): $549 (save $100) Galaxy Tab S2 (9.7", 4G): $699 (save $100) Gear SE Classic: $499 (save $99.99) Gear S3 Frontier: $499 (save $99.99) Gear Fit2 Pro (both Large and Small): $279 (save $50) Galaxy Book 12" (256GB, Wi-Fi): $1599 (save $300) Galaxy Book 12" (128GB, 4G): $1549 (save $250)...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/oppo-to-bring-all-screen-displays-to-masses-with-oppo-r11s-oppo-f5OPPO to bring "all screen" displays to the masses with R11s and F5OPPO's latest smartphones have "all screen" displays are likely to cost less than $700. 2017-11-03T11:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosHigh-end features have been trickling down to more affordable smartphones quickly this year; OPPO's two latest smartphones - the R11s and F5 - both feature the same style of extra tall "all screen" display we've started seeing in flagships like the iPhone X and Samsung Galaxy 8. And while the iPhone X and Galaxy S8 start at&nbsp; $1,579 and $1,199 respectively, OPPO's latest phones could go for as little as $400.&nbsp; The R11s is the mid-year refresh of this year's R11. The biggest difference is the jump from a 5.5-inch 16:9 display to 6-inch 18:9 display in a body that's roughly the same size. This has resulted in a screen-to-body ratio of over 85%, up from around 72% on the R11; it's a big screen in a small package. The move to an extra tall display does however mean the R11s' fingerprint reader is now on the back. Key specifications for the R11s include a 6-inch 1080p display, an eight-core Snapdragon 660 processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of expandable storage, a 3,200mAh battery, and...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/huawei-mate-10-now-available-to-pre-order-vodafone-australiaHuawei Mate 10 pre-orders kick off on VodafoneYou can now pre-order Huawei's big new phone through Vodafone. 2017-11-02T16:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosVodafone has started taking pre-orders for Huawei's upcoming Mate 10 ahead of a November 15 release date. As per Vodafone's new flexible approach to phone plans, you'll need to pick whether you want to pay off the Mate 10 over 12, 24, or 36 months. Handset repayment fees are as follows: You'll then need to pick one of Vodafone's Red plans, which range from $30 per month for a 2GB plan to $100 per month for a 50GB plan. If you take up a 24-month or 36-month plan, you'll be given a loyalty discount. This equates to $4.50 per month on Red plans less than $50, and $6.50 per month on Red plans worth $50 and up. Customers who pre-order before November 14 will get a bonus Huawei 360 Panoramic VR Camera valued at $179. While most 360-degree cameras are standalone devices that sync with smartphones via Wi-Fi, Huawei's plugs directly into a phone's USB Type-C port. This means it can use the phone's storage, removing the need for an extra memory card. The Mate 10 continues Huawei's...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/telstra-offers-9gb-bonus-data-with-prepaid-sim-starter-kitTelstra offers 9GB of bankable bonus data with prepaid SIM Starter KitSign up for Telstra Prepaid Extra, get 9GB of stash-able rollover data. 2017-11-02T16:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyA quick prepaid deal from Telstra: grab a $10 SIM starter kit, get 9GB of bonus bankable data to save for a rainy day. The company is offering an extra 9GB of data to all new prepaid customers picking up the $10 starter kit and activating their plan before February 6, 2018. Along with 1GB of data to use within 7 days, you'll also get an additional 9GB to add to your prepaid Data Bank, which allows customers to roll over unused gigabytes for future use. Prepaid customers can stash up to 50GB of extra data in their Data Bank, and there's no expiry date for saved gigabytes. You can move any leftover data to your Bank by recharging $30 or more before your current Prepaid Extra recharge expires. Telstra's $10 SIM Starter Kit also features unlimited Australian calls and texts and 1GB of included data, but does come with a 7-day expiry. However, all subsequent Prepaid Extra recharges include a longer 28-day expiry period, plus bigger data allowances (starting from 2.5GB on the $30 recharge)...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/lg-v30-plus-australian-launch-early-november-1199LG V30+ to launch in Australia for $1199 on November 16LG's Note 8 killer is almost here. 2017-11-02T10:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosLG will bringing its Note 8 rival - the V30+ - to Australia on November 16 at a recommended retail price of $1,199. JB Hi-Fi is set to be the exclusive retailer for the V30+. Customers who pick-one up through JB before Christmas Eve will get a free set of Beoplay H3 earphones, valued at $230.&nbsp; While LG's V series has been fraught with gimmicks such as a second screen, the V30+ abandons them for a taller 2:1 aspect ratio display that takes up the majority of the phone's front. This has allowed LG to cram a 6-inch display into a phone that's smaller than the 5.5-inch iPhone 8 Plus. The V30+ measures in at 151.7 by 75.4 by 7.3mm in terms of dimensions, while the iPhone 8 Plus is 158.4 by 78.1 by 7.5mm. As with the LG G6, the V30+ has two cameras on the back; the primary camera is 16MP and has an aperture of f/1.6, making it the one of brightest smartphone camera currently on the market (the upcoming Huawei Mate 10 and Mate 10 Pro also have a primary camera with an aperture of f/1...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/samsung-gear-sport-iconx-australian-pricing-availabilitySamsung's Gear Sport and IconX now on sale Samsung's latest fitness wearables are now on sale locally. 2017-11-01T16:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosSamsung's latest fitness wearables - the swim-ready Gear Sport smartwatch and runner-focused IconX wire-free headphones - are now on sale locally, retailing for $499 and $299 respectively. Both are available through Samsung's retail stores, and Samsung's online store.&nbsp; JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman are both ranging the Gear Sport, but it appears that the IconX is currently only available at the latter retailer. The Gear Sport smartwatch is almost a hybrid between Samsung's Gear S2 and Gear S3. The fitness focused smartwatch uses the Gear S2 sized 1.2-inch display in a sportier take on the Gear S3's body. We found the Gear S3 to be a little too big, so the smaller size looks to be a nice change. As with Samsung's other recent smartwatches, a rotating bezel is the primary method of navigating through the Gear Sport. In addition to your standard fitness tracking features (including GPS), the Gear Spot is now water-resistant up to 5 ATM (much like the Apple Watch Series 2 and up and...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/woolworths-flexi-mobile-plans-more-data-more-payment-optionsWoolworths Flexi Mobile Plans: more data, more payment optionsWoolworths' new Flexi Mobile Plans give you more ways to pick up a brand new phone. 2017-11-01T13:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyWe've talked before about why Woolworths Mobile is an unexpectedly good option for picking up a new Samsung or OPPO device on a two-year plan. Now, there's even more reason to consider the Telstra MVNO when it's time to upgrade your smartphone: the launch of all-new, multi-option Woolworths Flexi Mobile Plans.&nbsp; The newly unveiled plans give customers more choice when it comes to both paying for and upgrading their devices. Instead of being limited to a 24-month handset repayment term, Woolworths Mobile customers can now spread the cost of a new phone over 36 months. You'll still pay the same amount in total for your new device, but will pay less each month by selecting the longer 36-month payment plan. Customers also have the option of upgrading to a new smartphone after 12 months of payments; to be eligible, you'll need to return your current phone to Woolworths in good working condition, and pay a one-off upgrade fee. Upgrade fees will vary depending on how many payments you've...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/Broadband/News/telstra-new-broadband-plans-2017Telstra refreshes broadband plans around new Telstra TV launch Telstra has all new broadband plans to celebrate the launch of the second generation Telstra TV2017-10-31T16:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosTelstra's given its fixed home broadband plans a bit of a refresh to coincide with the launch of its second generation Telstra TV set-top box. The telco's hero plan is a $99 per month "entertainment" bundle that includes 2TB of data, a new Telstra TV, a three month subscription to one Foxtel Now starter pack, and Gateway Frontier Modem with 4G fallback. If you're happy to go up a tier, $130 per month will get you 3TB, an entire 24-months of a Foxtel Now starter pack, or alternatively, 24-months of Foxtel through Telstra. If you take 24-months of Foxtel, you'll get an iQ3 box rather than the new Telstra TV. Both of these plans are sold as 24-month contracts with pay-as-you-go phone calls. $10 extra adds unlimited calls to Australian local, national, and mobile numbers. The new Telstra TV's key new features include support for 4K HDR content, free-to-air integration, and universal search across all major Australian streaming services and catch-up apps. You can read more about the new...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/boost-unveils-new-prepaid-plans-offers-double-dataBoost Mobile unveils new prepaid plans, offers bonus double dataGet double data on your first two recharges when you sign on for all-new Boost Mobile plans. 2017-10-31T12:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyBoost Mobile is getting ready for the summer streaming and social season by launching new, data-fuelled prepaid plans. The revamped Boost Anytime Plus plans are available now for new and existing customers, with the company adding updated $20, $40, and $50 recharge options. Plans and inclusions are as follows: As indicated, if you sign up for the $30, $40, or $50 recharge options between now and February 6, 2018, you'll score double the included data on your first two recharges. So you'll get 8GB on the $30 plan, 16GB on the $40 option, and 24GB on the $50 recharge, provided you activate your SIM before the February cut-off.&nbsp; Boost Mobile customers can also now enjoy data rollover on recharges of $30 or higher. Basically, if you've got leftover gigabytes when you recharge before your expiry date, you'll get to keep that unused data for your next 28-day recharge period. Customers on $40 and $50 plans will also receive an overall data boost of 3GB per month, compared to previous...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/iphone-x-launch-day-walk-in-availabilityStill after an iPhone X? These are your optionsIf you're after an iPhone X but didn't pre-order, there's still hope for getting one on launch day.2017-10-30T16:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosDid you forget to pre-order your new-fangled iPhone X last Friday? Are you feeling a deep crushing emptiness that only the latest and greatest and smartphone can fix? That's a little concerning, but you're not out of luck - yet. If you want to get your hands on an iPhone X as soon as possible, these are your options. UPDATE: Apple is now offering limited iPhone X models for same day in-store pickup Apple has confirmed that it will have iPhone X units available for walk-in customers on launch day, but supplies will almost certainly be limited. If you want to get an iPhone X on November 3, we'd suggest getting to your Apple store of choice well before 8am, and even then, who knows how much luck you'll have. There'll almost certainly be Apple die-hards camping out of overnight.&nbsp; We've reached out to Apple Australia to confirm whether all Australian stores will have stock on November 3, and will update this story accordingly. Of course, Apple won't be the only play to get an iPhone...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/optus-launches-200gb-limited-time-iphone-planOptus launches 200GB limited-time iPhone planOMG: Optus is giving iPhone 8 and X buyers 200GB of data for $149. 2017-10-27T19:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyBecause 100GB is apparently not enough data for iPhone lovers, Optus is celebrating the launch of the already-on-back-order iPhone X with a very special promotional plan: 200GB for $149. Yep, that's right - 200GB of monthly phone data for less than $150. In addition to all those gigabytes, you'll also get unlimited national calls and messages, unlimited international calls to selected countries, unlimited talk and text when roaming internationally, and 1.5GB of monthly international roaming data in selected countries.&nbsp; You'll also get Optus' bonus entertainment extras, including an Optus Sport subscription, National Geographic app access, data-free TV streaming from Yes TV by Fetch, Netflix, Stan and more, and data-free music streaming from Spotify, iHeartRadio and Google Play Music. Awesome. The new $149 mega-plan is available to customers ordering the iPhone X, iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus on Optus' 24-month My Plan Plus and My Plan Flex options. So once you've picked out your...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/How-much-is-the-iPhone-really-going-to-costHow much is the iPhone X going to cost on a plan?Here's how much the iPhone X will cost you on a plan. 2017-10-27T18:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosApple's iPhone X is the most expensive iPhone to date, with a starting price of $1,579 for the 64GB outright. While that's a lot of dosh, we're guessing that many of us will prefer to buy it on a contract.&nbsp; If you're looking for iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus plans, click here! 2GB Data 5GB Data 20GB Data Foxtel Now Subscription 60GB Data 120GB Data 2GB Data 5GB Data 20GB Data Foxtel Now Subscription 60GB Data 120GB Data 2GB Data 7GB Data 14GB Data 30GB Data 100GB Data $130 per month 2GB Data 7GB Data 14GB Data 30GB Data 100GB Data If you want to get an iPhone X through Vodafone, you're able to pay off the phone in either 12, 24, or 36 monthly installments, with the price of the device divided by your repayment period. You'll obviously also need a plan on top of that, which range for from $30 a month to $100 per month.&nbsp; If you want a 64GB iPhone X, you're looking at handset repayments of:&nbsp; If you want a 128GB iPhone X, you're looking at handset...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/buy-iphone-8-with-optus-get-a-free-storage-upgradeBuy the iPhone 8 with Optus, get a free storage upgrade Say yes to the iPhone 8 with Optus, get 256GB for the price of 64GB. 2017-10-27T16:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyUnderwhelmed by the oversized iPhone X, but still in the market for a new Apple smartphone? Optus' newest iPhone 8 deal may be worth your while.&nbsp; Pick up the 64GB iPhone 8 or 8 Plus&nbsp;from&nbsp;Optus, and you'll get a free memory upgrade with either device: in other words, 256GB of storage for the price of just 64GB. Considering there's a price difference of $250 between the 64GB and 256GB models of both the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, it's a pretty sweet deal.&nbsp; Neither the iPhone 8 or 8 Plus are available outright from Optus, so you'll need to buy your phone on a 24-month My Plan Plus or My Plan Flex option. My Plan Plus is a standard two-year contract which sees customers paying off their device over 24 equal payments, whereas My Plan Flex is Optus' new-ish leasing plan. If you decide to lease via a Flex plan, you'll pay around $10 less each month in phone payments (depending on your choice of service plan). After 12 months of payments, you can return your iPhone to...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/blackberry-keyone-black-edition-australian-pricing-availabilityBlackBerry KEYone Black Edition now available for $899BlackBerry's murdered out KEYone is now on sale in Australia. 2017-10-27T12:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosBlackBerry's murdered out take on the KEYone is now available in Australia through JB Hi-Fi, retailing for $899. Dubbed the KEYone Black Edition, the ever-so-slightly upgraded smartphone touts an all-black paint job, and increases RAM and storage from 3GB and 32GB to 4GB and 64GB respectively. $899 was also the asking price for the original KEYone - now retrospectively referred to as the KEYone Silver - when it launched back in July. BlackBerry says all local KEYone Silver stock is now sold out though, so there won't be any discounts on the original model. The KEYone was BlackBerry's first new smartphone since TCL Communication acquired the rights to the BlackBerry name. Blending Android, a 4.5-inch touchscreen display, and a classic BlackBerry keyboard, the KEYone is essentially a much more modern take on the BlackBerries of old. While BlackBerry itself isn't manufacturing the smartphones, it still builds the software. The KEYone runs a customised version of Android with a number...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/amaysim-new-aud10-recharge-unlimited-talk-text-1gbAmaysim now does 1GB of data and unlimited talk and text for just $10Amaysim is introducing a new entry-level $10 plan. 2017-10-27T00:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosAs telcos increasingly pile on data inclusions at the high end, Amaysim's turned its focus to cheap as chips plans, with two new entry level-offerings. These include a $10 28-day recharge with unlimited talk and text and 1GB of data, and a $20 28-day recharge with unlimited talk and text and 2.5GB of data. The new $20 recharge replaces Amaysim's $25, 2GB recharge. While the option might offer better data-for-dollar, it no longer features any international calling inclusions. These are now available on recharges starting at $30 and up (currently discounted to $25 for your first six recharges). Amaysim's new range of 28-day recharges is as follows: Amaysim's new $10 recharge is currently one of the cheapest 1GB plans around, but it isn't necessarily a clear winner. Jeenee Mobile does a 1GB plan with unlimited talk and text for $9.90 per month, but you do need to sign a 12-month contract and pay a $10 setup fee. Spintel will do 1.5GB for $9.95, but you only get 200 minutes of talk....Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/samsung-galaxy-note8-now-available-in-blueSamsung Galaxy Note8 now available in blueThe much-loved Note8 is now available to Australians in 'Deep Sea Blue'.2017-10-26T16:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyIf you haven't yet picked up your Galaxy Note8, you've now got a new, true-blue colour option. Samsung has announced that its stellar flagship phablet is now available in Deep Sea Blue. Aside from the change in hue, the newest version of the Note8 includes all the features you'll find in the existing Midnight Black and Maple Gold colourways, including the gorgeous Infinity Display, updated dual lens camera, and S Pen stylus. The Deep Sea Blue Note8 also includes IP68 water and dust resistance, a 6.3-inch display, a powerful Exynos 8895 processor, and a 3300mAh battery. You'll also get 6GB of RAM, plus 64GB of expandable storage, and a bunch of exciting new software features thanks to Android 7.1.1 Nougat.&nbsp; In terms of pricing, the Deep Sea Blue Note8 will retail for $1499 outright. This is the same price you'll pay for the currently-available black and gold versions of the premium device, and you can team your blue Note8 with compatible Samsung accessories including the Gear VR,...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/good-deal-up-to-40-per-cent-off-kogan-mobile-year-long-rechargesGood deal: Up to 40% off Kogan Mobile's year-long rechargesKogan Mobile is cutting prices on 365-day recharges2017-10-25T17:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosCommitment-phobes, look away. Kogan Mobile is cutting the price of its 365-day recharges by as much as 40%. The biggest discounts apply to Kogan's 16GB 365-day recharge, which is down 40% from $529.90 to $315.10, working out to an equivalent of $25.90 per month. The 11GB plan has received a 36% discounted down to $254.30, an equivalent of $20.90 per month, the 6GB plan is down 31% to $205.60, and the 1.5GB plan is 15% off to $152.10. With these plans, your allowance resets every 30 days. For example, if you were to sign up for 11GB plan, you'd have 11GB to use each month for those 12 months. When you factor in the discount, Kogan's 16GB and 11GB plans are currently some of the best bang-for-buck options around, provided you're happy to pay the entire amount upfront. This promotion is available to both new and existing customers and will run until the end of the year. Kogan Mobile is powered by Vodafone's 4G network. The telco's standard 30-day expiry plans are as follows. If you...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/apple-says-line-up-early-for-iphone-x-launch-dayApple says its stores will have launch day iPhone X stock, but you should line up earlyApple Stores will have the iPhone X available for walk-in customers at launch, but it doesn't sound like there will be many. 2017-10-25T15:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosApple has confirmed that its brick and mortar stores will have iPhone X stock available for walk-in customers when the phone goes on sale at 8am on November 3. The company is however advising people show up early, presumably to avoid missing out. Analysts have predicted that the iPhone X will be in short supply until the end of this year at the very least, with suggestions that only 20 million units will make their way into customer hands before 2018. The fact is Apple is reserving some stock is promising though, considering that the iPhone 7 Plus and jet black iPhone 7 models were unavailable for customers lining up last year. It's currently unclear if any other local retailers or telcos will have iPhone X stock for customers who don't pre-order. So how early is early? Well, when it came to the iPhone 8, the first hopefuls outside Sydney's Apple Store started to line up before the phones had even been announced; almost two weeks early. There's just over a week to go for iPhone X...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/amaysim-launches-online-device-storeAmaysim launches online device storeAmaysim's new online tech store promises savings of up to $200 on smartphones and tablets. 2017-10-24T10:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyWatch your back JB HiFi: amaysim has officially opened an all-new online device store, promising savvy shoppers savings in the hundreds.&nbsp; amaysim's online phone and tablet hub is offering an impressive amount of devices at launch (one hundred, to be exact!), with all your favourite brands represented. You can pick up the hottest and newest releases from Apple (the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus), Samsung (the Galaxy S8, S8+, and Note8), plus a range of top tier and budget-friendly options from Google, LG, Sony, Huawei, HTC, BlackBerry and more.&nbsp; Depending on your pick of phone or tablet, you can save more than $200 upfront when compared to prices offered by similar retailers. And if you place an order before October 31, you'll receive a 10% launch discount on all items. According to amaysim, today's launch is just the first stage in its plans to operate a competitive and comprehensive tech superstore, and the company will soon expand into offering laptops, gaming, VR, audio, and other...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/birthday-deal-kogan-mobile-will-give-new-customers-their-first-month-freeBirthday Deal: Kogan Mobile will give new customers their first month freeAnd existing customers will get a bonus 2GB. 2017-10-19T10:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosKogan Mobile has turned two, and to celebrate, its giving new customers their first month for free. The promotion essentially gets you a single free recharge of Kogan's $49.90 Extra Large plan, which includes 16GB of data and unlimited talk and text. You'll need to sign up before 11:59pm on October 22 to get free access, but you'll have until November 20 to activate your service. You can find the promo by going to kogan.com/free.&nbsp; After your free data is up, you'll have to pay the full price for any subsequent recharge, but you're able to drop down to a lower cheaper option, or leave Kogan all together if you're not happy with the experience. While the promo only applies to new customers, existing subscribers aren't being left out of the birthday celebrations. If you've got an active service with Kogan Mobile, you'll have a bonus 2GB of data applied to your account today. This data will remain valid for 30 days. When you exclude the first month, Kogan's 16GB recharge is...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/vodafone-offers-up-to-35gb-bonus-data-for-prepaid-customersVodafone offers up to 35GB bonus data for prepaid customersGet up to 3.5GB of freebie data on Vodafone's prepaid Talk Combo and Data combo plans. 2017-10-18T13:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyChristmas is coming early for Vodafone prepaid customers! The telco has announced it will be gifting an extra 35GB of freebie data to eligible prepaid users, between now and November of next year.&nbsp; You won't receive your bonus 35GB in one hit: instead, the amount will be distributed over your next ten recharges. Each time you top up your plan by $40 or more, you'll be given an extra 3.5GB - so if you make ten qualifying recharges before November 15, 2018, you'll get a total of 35GB free.&nbsp; To qualify, customers will need to be on an eligible Vodafone Prepaid Data or Talk Combo plan. You'll also need to opt-in to the promo by texting '35' to 1263 before January 31, 2018, as the deal won't be automatically applied to customer accounts.&nbsp; The bonus data is available to both existing prepaid users and new customers just signing up: so if you've been weighing up a jump to Vodafone, now's a great time to get on board. The telco is also cutting prices on its $40 Talk Combo and...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/google-pixel-2-available-in-australia-october-31Google Pixel 2 will be available in Australia from October 31You'll find the Pixel 2 on local shelves from Halloween. 2017-10-18T12:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosAussies will be able to get their hands on Google's latest flagship smartphones - the Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL - from October 31. As with the original Pixels, you'll have three choices for buying your Pixel 2: direct from Google, outright through JB Hi-Fi, or on a plan from Telstra. On contract pricing starts at $87 per month,&nbsp;and outright prices start at $1,079. If you want to get in early, pre-orders kick off on October 20. Anyone who buy a Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL before the end of the year will nab themselves a free Google Home Mini - a shrunk down version of Google Home - valued at $79. On a related note, the Google Home Mini will go sale locally from October 24. While the smaller Pixel 2 looks almost identical to its predecessor, the Pixel 2 XL feels like a newer beast; Google's squeezed a 6-inch extra-tall display into a body that's just a touch bigger than last year's 5.5-inch Pixel XL thanks to heavily trimmed bezels. Shared specifications between the phones include a...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/tio-annual-report-sees-telco-complaints-spike-in-2017TIO Annual Report sees telco complaints spike in 2017The TIO's has released its annual report on the most-hated telcos. How does yours stack up? 2017-10-18T05:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyHaving dramas with your mobile, landline or broadband plan or provider? You're not alone. According to the newly-published annual report from the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, more than 158,000 Australians have escalated disputes with their telco during the 2016 to 2017 financial year. And despite efforts from the major providers to improve coverage and keep prices competitive, consumer dissatisfaction appears to be increasing: the TIO has recorded a 41.1% rise in complaints from residential customers and small businesses in the last twelve months.&nbsp; The most notable change? Broadband services have now replaced mobile as the number-one source of customer complaints, with incidences increasing by a hefty 64.8% in the last year. More than 63,800 Australians made official complaints about their internet service, citing issues such as overall customer service, billing, contracts, and connection faults.&nbsp; Considering that consumers and businesses are now demanding more...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/nokia-3310-3g-on-sale-australia-pricing-availabilityNokia 3310 3G now on sale in AustraliaYou can now get your hands on Nokia's throwback feature phone and waste far too much time playing Snake. 2017-10-17T15:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosThe Nokia 3310 3G throwback feature phone is now on sale locally, retailing for $89.95. If you're after the handset outright, JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman are your two options. JB Hi-Fi's website is showing the 3310 3G as available both online and in store, but Harvey Norman hasn't got it live yet. We wouldn't be surprised to 3310 3G added in the next couple of days. If you'd prefer to go prepaid, Vodafone is also listing the device as available, but it's not selling it online. Instead, you'll have to hit up a brick and mortar store and hope the 3310 3G is in stock. Maybe call ahead. You'll save $10 by getting the phone through Vodafone prepaid, but it will be locked to Vodafone as a result. Optus will also be ranging the 3310 3G as a prepaid device.&nbsp; In terms of specs, the Nokia 3310 3G has a 2.4-inch polarised colour display, 6.5 hours of talk time, a month of standby, 32MB of expandable storage, and a 2MP camera. And most importantly, it still plays Snake. In markets like...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/krack-serious-new-wi-fi-vulnerability-could-expose-you-to-nearby-hackersSerious new Wi-Fi vulnerability could expose you to nearby hackers A massive vulnerability in the most common form of Wi-Fi security has been uncovered by researchers. 2017-10-17T14:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosResearchers have discovered a massive vulnerability in WPA2, an encryption scheme that is commonly used to protect wireless networks. Dubbed KRACK - short for Key Reinstallation Attacks -, the exploit allows attackers to bypass WPA2's security measures and intercept internet traffic, which could in turn expose data such as passwords, emails, and more. Given that almost every single device relies on the WPA2 protocol for wireless connectivity - from your smartphone, to your laptop, to your TV - the consequences of KRACK have the potential to be far reaching.&nbsp; There is good news though: device manufacturers were made aware of the vulnerability months ago and are already working on updates. HTTPS encryption isn't affected, so your internet traffic to secure sites is still encrypted. And since KRACK is a vulnerability in Wi-Fi, a malicious actor has to be in physical proximity to your network to actually target you. For the average person, KRACK is only a mild threat. While it...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/huawei-mate-10-mate-10-pro-australian-pricing-availabilityHuawei Mate 10 available November 15 with Mate 10 Pro following in DecemberHuawei will close out the year with two flagship phablets, starting at $899.2017-10-17T00:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosHot off the heels of its Nova 2i reveal, Huawei has unveiled two more smartphones: the Mate 10 and Mate 10 Pro. Much like past Mate series devices, the pair tout large displays (starting at 5.9-inches) and equally large batteries said to last up to two days. As per modern flagship smartphone trends, Huawei's trimmed bezels and moved from aluminium to glass. But while the two new devices are similar in design, there's major differences between them. These start with the screen; the Mate 10 has a traditional 16:9 display, while the Mate 10 Pro has an extra-tall 18:9 display as found in phones like the Samsung Galaxy S8 and LG G6. The extra-tall screen means the Mate 10 Pro's fingerprint reader is on the back, while the Mate 10 has it on the front, under the screen. The Mate 10 Pro is also Huawei's first water-resistance flagship smartphone, with a rating of IP67. This means it will survive depths of up to one metre for as long as a half an hour. The regular Mate 10 has no IP rating. ...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/Broadband/News/southern-phone-now-offers-nbn-sky-muster-satellite-broadbandSouthern Phone now offers NBN Sky Muster satellite broadband Southern Phone is bringing broadband to regional customers, via NBN's Sky Muster satellite service.2017-10-13T13:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyIn a move that's great news for Aussies in rural areas, Optus has announced it is partnering with MVNO Southern Phone to deliver NBN's Sky Muster satellite service. The deal means that Southern Phone will be the first provider to offer Optus Satellite NBN connections to the general public. So if you're living in a regional location where fixed line or wireless NBN isn't an option, this could mean you'll finally be able to connect to reliable broadband. Optus states that it chose to team up with Southern Phone due to the latter's experience in servicing customers outside of metropolitan areas. The new Sky Muster plans are delivered by NBN's dual satellites, with the potential to connect around 400,000 homes and businesses in remote locations. Southern Phone's Sky Muster plans are available now to customers in eligible remote areas, and start at $40 per month for 60GB of data at 12Mbps speeds. Plans are offered up to 300GB per month, which Southern Phone is pricing from $95 on a...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/huawei-nova-2i-australia-price-availabilityHuawei Nova 2i has an extra tall screen and four camerasHuawei is bringing the Nova 2i to Australia from October for $499. 2017-10-13T12:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosNew high-end features always tend to trickle down to more affordable smartphones, but Huawei's already kitting out its latest $499 midrange smartphone - the Nova 2i - with the same style of extra tall display as we've been started seeing in flagships like Samsung's Galaxy S8 and LG's G6&nbsp;this year. Much like the G6, the Nova 2i features an extra-tall display with an 18:9 aspect ratio and slim bezels. Despite measuring in at 5.9-inches, Huawei says the Nova 2i's 83% screen-to-body ratio makes it feel more like a 5.5-inch phone. On a design related note, the Nova 2i is 7.5mm slim, touts a symmetrical design, and a full metal unibody. A quad-camera setup is the Nova 2i's other big point of difference. While two rear-facing cameras are becoming increasingly common, Huawei's also slapped two on the front this time around. On the back you'll find a 16MP primary lens and a secondary 2MP lens that's used to capture depth of field information and simulate wide aperture. On the front,...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/virgin-mobile-announces-birthday-deals-for-new-and-upgrading-customersVirgin Mobile announces birthday deals for new and upgrading customersVirgin Mobile's sweet 17th means bonus data and discounts for customers. 2017-10-12T12:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyBreak out the fairy bread and balloons:&nbsp;Virgin Mobile is celebrating its 17th birthday this month, and has unwrapped some limited-time offers for new and upgrading customers.&nbsp; If you sign up to a&nbsp;Virgin Mobile plan between now and November 8, you can claim either a once-off bonus data gift, or up to 20% off your monthly service fees. Offers are available to customers new to Virgin, or existing users who decide to upgrade their service.&nbsp; Coveting the latest iPhone&nbsp;or the Galaxy Note 8? Customers grabbing a new phone on Virgin Mobile's 24-month phone plans will receive a one-time data boost of up to 20GB in their first month. You'll get a Data Gift of 10GB on the $40, $45, and $55 plans; 15GB on $70 and $80 plans; and a huge 20GB on Virgin's premium $100 option. Your Data Gift includes once-off bonus gigabytes which can be used in your first month of Virgin Mobile service. If you don't use it all, any remaining data will roll over to the following month thanks...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/virgin-now-sells-phones-on-12-month-contractsVirgin will now sell you a smartphone on a 12-month contractIf two years sounds like too long, Virgin is now selling select phones on 12-month contracts. 2017-10-10T14:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosNo one really likes 24-month contracts; two years a long time to be locked into anything. We've got some good news though: if you're a bit of a commitment-phobe (but not too much of one), Virgin will now let you pay off your phone over 12-months instead. Only select phones are available on Virgin's 12-month plans, and they tend to be on cheaper end of spectrum. These include the iPhone 6, OPPO R11, Samsung Galaxy A5, and&nbsp;Samsung Galaxy S7, for example. Newer devices like the iPhone 8 and Samsung Galaxy S8 aren't available on 12-month plans; you'll still need to sign two years of your life away to get the latest and greatest on a plan&nbsp; Rather than make use of Virgin's standard 24-month pricing, these 12-month contracts are based on one of four simple plan tiers, with a handset repayment fee plonked on top. This repayment fee is equivalent to the phone's outright cost, divided by 12. It is however worth noting that in some cases, Virgin is listing a phone's outright cost as...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/blackberry-motion-ditches-keyboard-for-water-resistance-massive-batteryBlackBerry Motion ditches the keyboard for water-resistance and a massive batteryTCL's second BlackBerry smartphone ditches the iconic keyboard. 2017-10-09T11:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosBlackBerry overnight announced the Motion, its long-teased touchscreen-only Android smartphone. The Motion is the second smartphone to launch since TCL acquired the rights to manufactured BlackBerry Android devices, following the KEYone. While the KEYone was very much a traditional BlackBerry device, keyboard and all, the Motion is much more in line with what you'd expect from a modern Android smartphone thanks to the 5.5-inch touchscreen. Headlining features including IP67 water-resistance which means you're able to keep it submerged for as long as 30 minutes at depths up to one metre, and a massive 4,000mAh battery. BlackBerry says the battery will last for up to 32 hours of mixed usage, and that you'll be able to charge from flat to 50% in just 40 minutes. One other new feature is a customisable "Convenience Key" that can trigger different actions depending on whether you're at home, at work, or in your car, While TCL now manufacturers BlackBerry branded smartphones, BlackBerry...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/Broadband/News/sonos-one-smart-speaker-amazon-echo-google-homeSonos One is an Amazon Echo and a Google Home in, well, oneSonos' first smart speaker will play well with Amazon, Google, and Apple. 2017-10-05T16:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosIt's been a long time coming, but Sonos today announced its first voice enabled smart speaker: Sonos One. Rather than building its own artificial intelligence, Sonos One will support Amazon Alexa at launch, and Google Assistant in 2018. This also makes it first smart home devices to support multiple software assistants, which is in line with Sonos' commitment to being "really open". Managing Director of Sonos Australia Rennie Addabbo says the company is pitching Sonos One as a "smart speaker for music lovers". "What's important to us is creating soul in people's homes," said Addabbo. "With music played out loud, we hope we can turn silent homes into soulful homes." "The important thing for us is giving people choice and reducing their time to music, whether that's coming in through Spotify Direct, through the Sonos app, [&hellip;] or through voice. For us, it's about getting to music as quickly as possible." Sonos One is technically the first Alexa enabled speaker to launch in...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/sign-up-for-optus-prepaid-get-a-50-dollar-cardSign up for Optus prepaid, get a $50 gift cardChristmas is coming early for new Optus prepaid customers. 2017-10-05T11:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyWe're still more than two months away from Christmas, but Optus is getting into the spirit early: welcoming new prepaid customers with a $50 gift card. From now through to February 4, 2018, you can claim a free $50 EFTPOS Gift Card when you pick up a selected prepaid phone and SIM. To qualify, you'll need to activate your prepaid SIM, then add $30 or more to your account on your first recharge. Eligible prepaid smartphones include: Once you've activated your SIM and recharged with a minimum of $30, you'll need to visit Optus' gift card redemption page and enter both your mobile number, and the 8-digit security code printed on your EFTPOS card. You'll find your EFTPOS card bundled in with your new prepaid SIM, so there's no need to wait for your gift to arrive in the mail (and your card should be ready to use within 24 hours of online activation). Provided you activate online before March 31, 2018, you'll be able to use your $50 card at any in-store EFTPOS terminal. Customers can check...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/google-pixel-buds-offer-real-time-language-translationGoogle's first earbuds offer real-time language translationThey're like a real life babel fish. 2017-10-05T11:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosGoogle might be following Apple's lead in killing the headphone jack on the Pixel 2, but it's launching a nifty pair of wireless headphones to try and make up for it. Dubbed Pixel Buds, Google's first pair of headphones offer a feature that's sure to make them stand out from the crowd: real-time translation. When paired with a Pixel smartphone, you're able to use the Pixel Buds to translate languages. You'll speak into the Buds' microphone, and your Pixel will play out a translation over its speaker. When the other person speaks, you'll hear the translation in your ear. At launch, supported languages will include English, French, German, Japanese, and Portuguese. Translation functionality will only work with the Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, and Pixel 2 XL. In addition to translation, the Pixel Buds have Google Assistant baked in. Assistant is able to play music, send text messages, read notifications, and provide walking directions via voice commands. While Pixel Buds will work with an...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/google-unveils-pixel-2-pixel-2-xl-australian-pricingGoogle unveils Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL with better cameras, water-resistance, and no headphone jackGoogle is doubling down on its "Made by Google" smartphones with the launch of Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL.2017-10-05T07:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosGoogle overnight took the wraps off the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, its "in house" flagship smartphones for 2017. While the smaller Pixel 2 looks almost identical to its predecessor, the Pixel 2 XL feels like a newer beast; Google's squeezed a 6-inch extra-tall display into a body that's just a touch bigger than last year's 5.5-inch Pixel XL thanks to heavily trimmed bezels. Google has given the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL's rear-facing camera a lot of love, with the phones achieving the highest DxOMark score of any smartphone. Sensor quality tester DxOMark gave the Pixel 2 a score of 98, which beats out the 94 earned by both the iPhone 8 Plus and Samsung Galaxy Note 8. It is however worth noting that DxOMark's tests specifically look at sensor quality, rather than real world usage Based on our time with the original Pixel, the high score certainly is promising. Key camera improvements include optical image stabilisation, a wider aperture of f1/8, and a move to what Google calls a dual-pixel...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/educational-smart-toys-boost-is-lego-you-can-program-with-your-tablet"Boost" is Lego you can program with your tablet Why didn't they make this when I was a kid?
2017-10-04T15:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosThe worst part about growing up is that modern toys keep getting cooler and cooler. Lego was a cornerstone of my childhood, and the company's now made me wish I could go back thanks to the local launch of Lego Boost. Boost is essentially a set of five Lego creations that can then be programmed with the use of an iPad or Android tablet. In addition to the 843 standard Lego pieces you'll find in the box, there's three "Boost Bricks" that give your creations their smarts. These include an interactive monitor, a colour and distance sensor, and a Bluetooth connected "move hub". In terms of programming Boost, you'll work with an icon-based drag-and-drop interface rather than having to actual write any code in the traditional sense. While you - or your kids - might not explicitly be learning a coding language, the Boost app does nonetheless rely on programming fundamentals such as conditional subroutines, looping, and algorithmic thinking. In a way, it's a simplified version of Lego...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/deal-first-month-on-kogan-for-aud-4-90Good Deal: Get your first month with Kogan Mobile for $4.90New subcribers can save up to 90% on their first recharge by switching to Kogan Mobile. 2017-10-03T10:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosKogan is once again trying to tempt new customers to its prepaid mobile service with a heavily discounted introductory offer: swap over and you'll get your first month for $4.90. You're able to apply this offer to any of Kogan's prepaid mobile plans, which means you can get as much as 90% off if you're after the telco's $49.90 recharge. This includes 16GB of data and unlimited talk and text. After your first month, you'll have to pay the full price for any subsequent recharge, but you're able to drop down to a lower price bracket. This offer runs until the end of October. When you exclude the discounted first month, Kogan's 16GB recharge is roughly on par with current marketing pricing. Major telcos will offer a similar data allowance for less, but they'll lock you into a 12 month contract. Belong Mobile offers the most comparable no contract plan, at $45 per month for 15GB with unlimited talk and text. Kogan gives you 1GB of extra data, but Belong has Telstra 4G coverage. Kogan...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/nokia-strikes-telco-deals-with-telstra-vodafone-optusNokia strikes telco deals with Telstra, Vodafone, and OptusAn icon returns: Telstra, Optus and Vodafone will all sell selected Nokia phones from next month. 2017-09-29T11:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyNokia is back! Following on from yesterday's launch of the revived 3310, the iconic Finnish company has hammered out agreements with three of Australia's 'big four' telcos. Leading the Nokia push is Vodafone, announcing this week that it will stock not only the retrofied 3310 feature phone next month, but also the Nokia 8, Nokia 6 and Nokia 3 touchscreen devices.&nbsp; Vodafone will offer the Nokia 8 and Nokia 6 smartphones on its new, interest-free payment plans, so customers can choose between paying off their device over a 12, 24, or 36-month term. You'll also be able to buy the Nokia 8, Nokia 6 and Nokia 3 for full price upfront on Vodafone plans. Pricing for the flagship Nokia 8 is around $899 outright, with the Nokia 6 costing $399 in total, and the Nokia 3 priced at $179. If you opt to pay off your phone on a Vodafone plan, monthly pricing will vary depending on your payment term; however, you'll still pay the same total amount for your device, no matter the length of your...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/telstra-for-cheap-belong-mobile-launch-sundayWant Telstra for cheap? Belong Mobile is launching on SundayBelong Mobile is Telstra's new attempt at competing in the low-cost, SIM only market. 2017-09-29T10:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosTelstra will enter the low-cost mobile market on Sunday with the launch of Belong Mobile, an extension of its discount broadband brand. Belong Mobile will launch with just two plans: $25 per month will get you 5GB, while $40 per month will get you 15GB. Neither plan has calling inclusions out of the box, but an extra $5 per month will give you unlimited talk and text, or an extra $10 per month will also get you unlimited international talk and text to select countries. This means most will probably end up paying $30 or $45 per month, depending on your chosen data allowance. If you make the change to Belong Mobile before the end of the year, you'll get a one-off data gift that will double your allowance for your first month. Both plans come with unlimited data banking and data gifting. Unused data will be rolled over to your next month, and it will be available for as long as you maintain an active service with Belong. Alternatively, you're able to share unused data with other Belong...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/nokia-3g-3310-to-australiaNokia is bringing a 3G 3310 to Australia for $89.95There's now a 3G version of the new Nokia 3310 and it's coming to Australia in mid-October.2017-09-28T15:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosWhen Nokia took the wraps of its 3310 revival earlier in the year, we were distraught; it only had 2G connectivity, and Australia's 2G networks are all but dead. There's good news though: Nokia today announced a 3G version of its spruced-up feature phone, and its going on sale in the middle of October for $89.95. You’ll be able to get the 3310 3G outright through JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman, or as a prepaid device through Optus and Vodafone. Australia will be the first market where the 3G version of 3310 is available. In terms of specs, the Nokia 3310 3G has a 2.4-inch polarised colour display, 6.5 hours of talk time, a month of standby, 32MB of expandable storage, and a 2MP camera. And most importantly, it still plays Snake. The new 3310 feels familiar yet different, with the colour screen and thinner body giving away the fact it's just a little more modern. Build quality is solid, and you’ll be able to pick it up in a choice of four colours: black, azure, yellow, and orange. HMD...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/fitbit-ionic-takes-fitness-tracking-to-the-next-levelFitbit's Ionic smartwatch takes fitness tracking to the next levelFitbit has officially launched its all-new Ionic smartwatch. Here's how the wearable plans to change your life. 2017-09-27T16:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyUnpack your active wear and get ready to work up a sweat: the newest release from wearable pioneers Fitbit is officially here. If you're looking to shed those winter kilos, cut down your 5K time, or just figure out why you're always so damn tired, read on.&nbsp; The feature-packed Fitbit Ionic arrives in Aussie stores October 1, with online pre-orders live from today. The wearable aims to be the final word in fitness tracking - both for seasoned pavement-pounders, and couch potatoes looking for a little extra help to get started on the path to better health. In terms of sensors, you'll get incredibly accurate heart rate monitoring via PurePulse, plus built-in GPS, step tracking, and all-day activity measurements (such as calories burned, distance travelled, and hourly activity data). The Ionic allows users to track specific workouts - including biking, weight training, or running - through its Multi-Sport modes, and is water-resistant in depths of up to 50 metres. If you want to...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/moto-x4-moto-g5s-moto-g5s-plus-on-sale-australia-this-weekMoto X4, Moto G5S, and Moto G5S Plus all on sale this weekMotorola is bringing three new Android smartphones to Australia. 2017-09-27T14:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosMotorola clearly believes that good things come in threes, with the company today announcing the imminent Australia release of a trio of new Android smartphones. The Moto X4, Moto G5S, and Moto G5S Plus will be available from local retailer from tomorrow, with prices ranging from $349 to $699. The Moto X4 is essentially a midrange phone with high-end features; you get two rear-facing cameras, a Gorilla Glass 3 front and back, and IP68 water-resistance. The Moto X4 is actually the first Motorola Android smartphone to be certified anything higher than "splash-proof" when it comes to water-resistance. The IP68 rating means you're able to submerge the Moto X4 as deep as 1.5 metres for up to half an hour. Other key specifications include a 5.2-inch 1080p display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and a 3000mAh battery. It runs a mostly unmodified version of Android 7.1 Nougat and should see an upgrade to Oreo before the end of the year. The Moto X4 will...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/Telstra-Samsung-GalaxyS5-blue-tickTelstra Blue Tick Phones: Best In The BushRural Australians can feel confident picking up some of this year's best tech, with Telstra's Blue Tick highlighting the phones that do best under special testing conditions.2017-09-26T11:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZJoseph HanlonIf you're looking for a phone that will work outside the crowded metro areas in Australia, you should be looking at Telstra's Blue Tick range. These phones have been rigorously tested by Telstra to make sure that you will find coverage in places where other phones struggle to get a signal. You might think that a phone with superior coverage should look like a brick and be just as heavy, but in fact many of today's most popular smartphones are passing the Telstra tests and being award a Blue Tick. Bringing best in breed technology to customers who may have felt limited in their phone selections in the past. There's no disputing that the Telstra network has the widest footprint in Australia. The darker areas show 4G LTE coverage, the lighter areas show 3G HSPA coverage. Blue Tick phones provide better antennas to maximise your coverage on this network.&nbsp; Farmer with phone image via ShutterstockCopyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/bose-refreshes-qc35s-with-google-assistantBose refreshes QC35s with Google AssistantYou can talk with Bose's latest noise-cancelling headphones. And they'll even talk back.2017-09-22T16:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosBose has updated its popular QC35 noise-cancelling headphones with Google Assistant integration and adjustable noise cancellation. Dubbed QC35 II, the new headphones appear to be otherwise identical to last year's model. The QC35 II headphones are the first headphones to feature Google Assistant, which is summoned via an "Action Button" on the left cup. Google Assistant will act quite similarly to on a smartphone or Google Home, and allows you to use your voice to pick music, add appointments to a calendar, make calls, or just look up useless trivia. The vast majority of Google Assistant functionality will require the headphones to be paired with an Android or iPhone. Google Assistant isn't quite as robust on iOS, but you're still able to use the multi-function button to bring up Siri. If you're not interested in talking to your headphones, you're able to use the Action Button to change noise cancellation levels instead. While the first QC35 iteration gave you the option of keeping...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/every-australian-samsung-galaxy-note-8-planEvery Australian Samsung Galaxy Note 8 PlanSamsung's big new smartphone is here. Here's every single option for getting your hands on a Note 8 on a contract. 2017-09-22T14:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosIt feels like we've been waiting forever, but Samsung's Galaxy Note 8 is now on sale. If you want to be among the first to get your hands on the new hotness, read on for your options.&nbsp; If you're after the phone outright, the Galaxy Note 8 will set you back a massive $1,499 outright. You'll be able to pick it up direct from Samsung, through JB Hi-Fi, and Harvey Norman.&nbsp; Amaysim will also sell you the Note 8 outright&nbsp;or on an installment plan, and will throw in six months of free service (valued at $600).&nbsp; If you want the Note 8 on a contract,&nbsp;Telstra, Optus, Virgin, and Vodafone are all ranging the phone. You've got your pick of black or gold in terms of colour, and if purchase your Note 8 before October 31 (and register by November 14), Samsung will provide one free screen repair that you can use within your first 12 months of ownership. In case you missed the news, the Note 8 is ostensibly a bigger version of the Galaxy S8+ with two rear-facing cameras (one...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/say-hell-yes-to-optus-crazy-new-dealOptus has a very good deal: $30 a month for 15GB and a Premier League subscriptionThe data wars continue to escalate with Optus' 15GB for $30 a month promo. 2017-09-22T11:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosIf you're looking to change telco, Optus has a new offer that's very easy to say "yes" to. "Hell yes," even. $30 per month will get you 15GB of data, unlimited talk and text, 300 international minutes, and a 12-month subscription to Optus Sport (with Premier League access). You'll need to sign a 12-month contract to get the plan, and since it's a SIM only deal, you'll need to bring your own phone. Even on data inclusions alone, Optus' promo beats the entire competition when it comes to data-for-dollar. The next best offer around right now is Jeenee Mobile's $30 Pennywise plan, which gives you 10GB per month when you sign a 12-month contract. If you don't need quite as much data, Optus will do 3GB for $18.75 per month. This plan is also on a 12-month contract, and still comes with a 12-month Optus Sport subscription. Once again, no other plans come close to offering this kind of value at a sub $20 price-point. While both Optus plans are being sold as 12-month contracts, the...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/samsung-galaxy-note-8-plans-optusSamsung Galaxy Note 8: Every Optus planAfter a Note 8 on Optus? Here are your options. 2017-09-22T00:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosThe Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is now on sale, and Optus has some top deals on offer. You can check out all of Optus' Note 8 plans below.&nbsp; Optus 24-month contract plans If you want to save around $10 per month and possibly get some extra data, you can lease your Note 8 on Optus instead. This does however mean handing your Note 8 back to Optus when you upgrade your phone or when your contract is over.&nbsp; Optus leasing plans Our favourite Optus pick is the $130 plan, which is currently being discounted to $100 per month. With handset repayments, this means you're paying $110 a month for a brand new Note 8, 30GB of data, unlimited talk and text, 750 international minutes, an Optus Sport subscription, and data free music streaming through Google Play Music and Spotify.&nbsp; This plan also includes unlimited international calls when roaming, and 1GB of data to use each month you're overseas in a "zone one country" .Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/samsung-galaxy-note-8-plans-telstraSamsung Galaxy Note 8: Every Telstra planAfter a Note 8 on Telstra? Here's all the plans you can buy or lease Samsung's big new phone on. 2017-09-22T00:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosIf you're after a Galaxy Note 8 on&nbsp;Telstra, Samsung's next big thing is now available.&nbsp; You can check out all of Telstra's Note 8 plans below.&nbsp; Telstra 24-month contract plans Telstra leasing plansCopyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/samsung-galaxy-note-8-plans-virginSamsung Galaxy Note 8: Every Virgin Mobile planAfter a Note 8 on Virgin? Here are your options. 2017-09-22T00:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosYou can check out all of Virgin's Note 8 plans below.&nbsp; Our personal pick is Virgin's $99 Note 8 plan. This gets you 16GB of data, unlimited talk and text, and $300 worth of international call credit.&nbsp;Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/samsung-galaxy-note-8-plans-vodafoneSamsung Galaxy Note 8: Every Vodafone planAfter a Note 8 on Vodafone? Here are your options. 2017-09-22T00:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosThe Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is now on sale, and Vodafone has some great options on offer.&nbsp; The Note 8 is actually the first major smartphone launch since Vodafone overhauled how it sells phones. Rather than signing a two-year contract, "the plan" part of your component is contract-free and you pay out the outright cost of your Note 8 over 12, 24, or 36 months (interest free).&nbsp; You're able to freely change your plan on a month-to-month basis, and if you want to leave, you'll just need to pay out the remainder of your Note 8.&nbsp; Here's what Note 8 repayments look like over one, two, and three years:&nbsp; After you've worked out what period you want to pay your Note 8 off over, you'll need to pick one of the below plans.&nbsp; You can check out all of Vodafone's Note 8 plans below.&nbsp; If you're happy to pay your Note 8 off over three years, our pick for Vodafone is the $91.63 Red Data Plan. This gives you 16GB of data, unlimited talk and text, and $5 per day roaming when...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/google-is-buying-part-of-htcGoogle is buying part of HTCGoogle today announced plans to acquire part of HTC's mobile division, suggesting the search giant plans to place far greater emphasis on hardware products in coming years. 2017-09-21T12:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosGoogle today announced plans to acquire part of HTC's mobile division for US$1.1 billion. Rather than directly acquiring the company or the entirety of its smart smartphone division, Google senior vice president of hardware, Rick Osterloh says "a team of HTC talent" will come on board as part of the company's hardware team. "These future fellow Googlers are amazing folks we’ve already been working with closely on the Pixel smartphone line, and we're excited to see what we can do together as one team," said Osterloh. "The deal also includes a non-exclusive license for HTC intellectual property." HTC will continue to build its own smartphones and says it is already working on the successor to the U11.&nbsp;The deal will not see Google purchasing a direct stake in HTC, and HTC's Vive business will continue unchanged. The deal is expected to close in early 2018, subject to regulatory approval.&nbsp; Osterloh describes the deal as a "testament to the decade-long history of teamwork...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/ios-11-availableiOS 11 now available as a free download for iPhone and iPadiPhone and iPad owners are now able to upgrade to iOS 112017-09-20T10:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosEven if you're not waiting for a&nbsp;new iPhone, your current device is set to get a bit of love from Apple; iOS 11 is now available as a free download for most current iPhone and iPad models. If you've got an Apple Watch, you're able to upgrade it to watchOS 4 after your paired iPhone is running iOS 11. iOS 11 is the latest version of Apple's mobile operating system, and runs on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.&nbsp; Key improvements include a Control Centre and App Store redesign, translation in Siri, Apple Pay in iMessage, and a "Do Not Disturb While Driving" mode. There's also a host of iPad specific functionality, such as a larger dock, improved multitasking, and a Finder-like Files apps. You can read more about iOS 11's new features here. Upgrading to iOS 11 is easy. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad, select General, and then tap Software Update. The upgrade to iOS 11 will be a fairly large download, so you'll want to be connected to Wi-Fi beforehand. Size varies...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/reviving-nokia-and-blackberryBack for good? Reviving Nokia and BlackBerry Let's do the time warp again. 2017-09-18T18:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosEveryone loves a comeback, and 2017 has been full of them. It's enough to make you scream "what year is it?". In tech, our time warp moment has been the return of Nokia and BlackBerry. Both brands are back from the dead, and the excitement has been palpable. We saw it first hand when the paired unveiled new phones as part of Mobile World Congress earlier this year where the new-old devices dominated coverage and clicks, and this has continued throughout the year. The positive sentiment isn't surprising - Nokia is responsible for seven of the top 10 best-selling phones of all time, and BlackBerry was making smartphones before they were cool. Could this be a new chapter for these iconic trendsetter brands, or will their stories end badly when the nostalgia runs dry? The Nokia of old no longer exists. The company formerly known as Nokia was purchased by Microsoft, and subsequently renamed Microsoft Devices. It turned out that nobody wanted Windows phones after all, and Microsoft wrote...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/jaybird-run-wire-free-headphones-take-on-airpodsJaybird takes on AirPods with "Run" wire-free headphonesJaybird's latest earbuds are completely wireless. 2017-09-18T12:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosFitness headphone manufacturer Jaybird is getting into the wire-free headphone game with a pair of buds simply called Run. Run is made up two independent buds, that both pair up with your smartphone. Controls on either side let you take phone calls, pause and play music, skip tracks, and summon your phone's virtual assistant. As the name might suggest, Run has been designed with fitness and exercise in mind. The company says the buds were designed explicitly for runners, and as such, are water and sweat resistant. There's a number of interchangeable tips and wings in the box, to ensure a comfortable fit and prevent them from falling out when you're on the move. In terms of battery life, Jaybird says Run will last for four hours per charge, and the included charging case will give you two extra recharges. A five-minute top up gives you an extra hour of playback time. Jaybird Run will go on sale for $249 from September 25Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/google-to-launch-pixel-2-october-4Google to launch Pixel 2 on October 4It's happening! Google plans to drop the 2017 Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL in less than a month. 2017-09-15T13:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZTara DonnellyThe Galaxy Note 8 and iPhone X launches may be done and dusted, but there's still one huge phone announcement tech fans are waiting on: Google's Pixel 2. Fortunately, the company has just all-but-confirmed that its heavily-anticipated 2017 devices will be unveiled to eager Fandroids in a matter of weeks. Google's Pixel marketing blitz has begun in a triple threat, with the company launching US billboard ads, a YouTube teaser video, and an all-new 'Ask More' website, where prospective buyers can sign up for the Pixel 2 email list.&nbsp; Both the billboards and website list October 4 as the date to watch out for (October 5 in Australia). Seeing as last year's original Pixel and Pixel XL were launched on October 4, 2016, it seems Google is pushing for consistency in its phone releases, much as Apple has with its early September iPhone announcements. While actual details on what we can expect from the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are yet to be revealed, Google's teaser campaign highlights a...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/fc-barcelona-limited-edition-oppo-r11Keep your team colours in your pocket with the FC Barcelona edition OPPO R11 Ole-le, Ola-la, ser del Barça és el millor que hi ha!2017-09-15T13:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosJust days after announcing a red hot R11, OPPO is launching another new colour variant: a limited edition FC Barcelona themed R11. The phone uses the club's red, blue, and gold colour scheme, and OPPO says the FC Barcelona badge on the back is plated in 18K gold. JB Hi-Fi is the only place you can the OPPO R11 FC Barcelona edition, and it will cost you $699. That's $50 more than a standard R11, probably to cover the cost of gold-plating. Key specifications for the R11 include a 5.5-inch 1080p display, a Snapdragon 660 eight-core processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of expandable storage, a 3000mAh battery, and two rear-facing cameras: a 16MP primary camera, and 20MP zoom lens. The R11 runs OPPO's customised version of Android - ColorOS - based on Nougat, which has been further modified with a FC Barcelona themed user-interface. You'll miss out on FC Barcelona colour scheme if you'd prefer to grab the R11 on a contract, but Virgin Mobile, Vodafone, and Woolworths Mobile are all ranging OPPO's...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/6-things-you-didnt-know-about-iphone-x6 things you didn't know about the iPhone XWe've got the lowdown on what Apple didn't tell you about iPhone X. 2017-09-15T11:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosAt this point, we'd be seriously impressed if you somehow managed to avoid the news about Apple's new iPhones. You've probably heard that there's an iPhone X, you've probably heard it's expensive, and you've probably heard there's no more home button, but here are six things you might have missed. Facial recognition is one of the iPhone X's bignew features. Replacing Touch ID and the longstanding Home Button, "Face ID" is the new go to method for unlocking your phone, authorising Apple Pay transactions, and other approving secure functionality.&nbsp; While you were able to register multiple fingerprints on previous iPhones, you'll only be able to register one face per phone. This kind of makes sense given that we have eight fingers and two thumbs but only one face, hey. You are still however able to set a PIN to unlock your iPhone. As with current iPhones, a six digit passcode will be the fall back if your phone isn't able to recognise you. Squeezing the buttons on both sides of your...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/4g-apple-watch-series-3-is-the-anti-iphoneThe 4G Apple Watch is the anti-iPhonePoison was the cure. 2017-09-14T14:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosFollowing yesterday's unveiling of the iPhone X, some were quick to proclaim the Apple Watch Series 3 as the "real tenth anniversary iPhone". If you missed the news, the majority of Apple Watch Series 3 models have 4G connectivity, essentially turning them into tiny phones. A 4G Apple Watch can be used independent of its paired iPhone, and most of its functionality will work when you don't have your phone: friends will still be able to call you and text you on the same number as your phone, you can access Maps, send messages through third party apps, and more. This is impressive for a number of technical reasons - I mean, it's literally a phone you wear on your wrist - but more importantly, a 4G Apple Watch could also be the antidote to our always-connected lifestyles Apple sowed the seeds for with the first iPhone a decade ago. Okay, that was a bit dramatic, but hear me out. A 4G Apple Watch could strike the balance between staying connected and being too connected. We often throw...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/apple-watch-series-3-adds-4gApple Watch Series 3 adds 4G connectivityThe new Apple Watch is the first Apple wearable you can use without your iPhone. 2017-09-13T07:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosApple today unveiled an updated version of the Apple Watch with one big new feature: 4G connectivity. Dubbed the Apple Watch Series 3, Apple's latest wearable can be used independent of its paired smartphone thanks to an embedded eSIM. Most of the Apple Watch Series 3's functionality will work over 4G: friends will still be able to call you and text you on the same number as your phone, you can access Maps, send messages through third party apps, and notably, you'll be able to stream music directly through Apple Music without having to store tracks on the Watch's internal storage (provided you've got a pair of Bluetooth headphones with you). Other than 4G connectivity, the Apple Watch Series 3 is mostly a minor refresh. The only other notable improvements include a new processor that’s 70% faster than last year's model, and a barometric altimeter for extra fitness data. The Apple Watch Series 3 is almost identical in design to previous models, and is still compatible with the same...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/Apple-Annouces-2017-iPhonesiPhone 8 on sale September 22 from $1079, but $1579 iPhone X won't launch until November Apple just announced three new iPhones: iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X. 2017-09-13T06:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosAfter far too many months of rumours, Apple's finally taken the wrap off its 2017 iPhones, and as expected, we're getting three shiny new devices: iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus.&nbsp; The iPhone X - Apple's tenth anniversary iPhone - is undeniably the star of the show, and boasts the most radical redesign of any iPhone yet. The front is almost all screen, the home button is gone, and so is the fingerprint reader. It's also the most expensive iPhone yet, with a starting price of at $1,579 for 64GB. If that's too rich for your blood, the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus start at $1,079 and $1,229 respectively. That's roughly same price as last year's iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, but they don't share the same new edge-to-edge design.&nbsp; Before we get into the nitty gritty of each phone, here's the important stuff. You'll be able to pre-order the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus from September 15 ahead of a September 22 release date.&nbsp; If you want an iPhone X, you'll have to wait a...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/you-can-now-get-the-oppo-r11-in-redHot: You can now get the OPPO R11 in redI <3 red smartphones. 2017-09-12T14:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosWe love less conventional smartphone colours at WhistleOut, so we're thrilled to see the release of OPPO's R11 in a fetching shade of red. The red limited edition will be exclusively available through JB Hi-Fi, and will retail for the same $649 as the stock standard black and gold variants. If you're not familiar with the OPPO R11, you should probably just read our review, but here's the TLDR. The R11 is a device we've been referring to as "OPPO's iPhone 7 Plus" thanks to its dual rear-facing camera configuration that works in a similar manner to Apple's. With two sensors on the back - a 16MP primary camera and a 20MP secondary camera - the R11 is able to simulate up to two times zoom by swapping between lenses. Much like the iPhone 7 Plus, the R11 is able to use the dual rear-camera configuration for a portrait mode. The two cameras are used to get a better sense of depth, which is then used to blur the background. Other key specifications include a 5.5-inch 1080p display, a...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/all-vaya-plans-get-extra-data-in-lead-up-to-new-iphoneAll Vaya plans get extra data in lead up to new iPhoneNew plans, more data. 2017-09-12T09:30:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosVaya is the latest in an increasing long line of telcos to give its plans a refresh this month, following announcements from Telstra, Kogan Mobile, Lebara, and Aldi Mobile. It's almost like there's a big new phone right around the corner or something. Vaya has increased data allowances across the board, while killing it's previous mid-tier plan and introducing a new $44 per month 13GB plan as its crown jewel. The new plans are as follows: If you're happy to pay upfront, you're able to get each plan as a six-month package. This gets you a slight discount on your plan, and saves you $12 across the six-month period. It's no coincidence that Vaya is refreshing its plans right before the launch of the new iPhone, with Amaysim (Vaya's parent company) Commercial Director Maik&nbsp;Retzlaff warning "dazzled" iPhone fans against locking themselves into a 24-month contract "with data inclusions that may not meet their needs in the future".&nbsp; "Buying an unlocked phone outright or on...Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.auhttps://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/aldi-mobile-plan-refresh-16gb-for-5516GB for $55 plan heads up Aldi Mobile refreshAldi Mobile is throwing is upping data allowances on all of its prepaid plans. 2017-09-12T00:00:00Z2017-12-14T00:35:46ZAlex ChorosAldi Mobile is expanding its family of smartphone plans with a super-sized "Jumbo" plan offering 16GB of data for $55 per month. The competitively priced prepaid plan also includes unlimited talk and text, data rollover, and 400 international minutes on a 30-day expiry. In addition to this, Aldi has increased data allowances across its entire plan family. Your new options on Aldi Mobile are as follows: All of these plans also include data rollover, and unlimited talk and text. Aldi's data rollover system means that any unused data gets added to your total allowance for your next month, but it will be used first. Each month's unused data can only be rolled over once. Plans valued at $25 a month or more also include international minutes. These plans will be available from Wednesday. Aldi Mobile is powered by Telstra's 4G network. Copyright 2017 https://www.whistleout.com.au